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Tasmania eyeing direct NZ flights
The so-called trans-Tasman ‘travel bubble’ is being touted to kick-start international tourism again in Australia and Tasmania itself doesn’t want to be left out.
The island state hasn’t had a direct link with New Zealand for more than two decades.
Now is an opportune time to change that and capture the Kiwi inbound market.
Tasmania Premier Peter Gutwein is ‘looking to pursue’ direct flights.
He has raised the issue with Tourism Tasmania and Hobart Airport.
"This isn’t going to happen tomorrow, it’s not going to happen next week but as we work our way through the course of the calendar year if the opportunity arises … then that’s an opportunity we will look at," he said.
Gutwein said federal funding was allocated last year to open customs operations at Hobart Airport.
Flights linking Hobart and New Zealand last operated in the 1990s.
Gutwein said Tasmania will gradually phase out social distancing and other movement restrictions to make sure spread of the virus is halted for good.
"What we cannot do is risk the opportunity of a second wave. We’ve seen that occur in other countries and it has been devastating."
Tasmania has recorded 221 cases of Covid-19 although most have recovered and only about 40 are still active.
New Zealand agreed in principle to the concept of a ‘travel bubble’ restart as it held talks with Aussie counterparts about how it will work.
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Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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