Industry News
The New South Wales (NSW) Government in Australia has confirmed that regional travel in the state will be allowed for any reason, including holidays, from June 1. Obviously great news for ski areas in the area such as Thredbo and Perisher.
We’re stoked on the lifting of the NSW travel ban that was announced today 🙌 A friendly heads up that unfortunately we’re not opening for skiing & boarding over the June long weekend 🙅♂️ However! We’re working hard with Government authorities right now to deliver a COVID-Safe season ❄️⛷🏂 Stay tuned on an Opening Date ASAP 👍 Bring it on
– Thredbo Resort
Premier Gladys Berejiklian is expected to make the official announcement this morning, which will also allow pubs, clubs, restaurants, and cafes in NSW to host up to 20 people within a month.
“Even if some states don’t let us travel there, we’ll invite the other states here.”
– Ms Berejiklian
Federal Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham has urged state and territory governments to reopen their borders to domestic holiday-makers when safe. There is currently no restriction for residents traveling within the state.
The lifting of the ban will come as a relief to struggling regional tourism operators, who have been hit by firstly the bushfires and then the coronavirus lockdown. The Australian ski industry employs about 23,000 people, many on a seasonal basis in jobs such as instructors, ski hire technicians, waiters, chefs, and cleaners.
A recent statement from the Australian Ski Areas Association reveals while facing the largest challenge in its history, they are still hopeful for the upcoming season, whatever form it may take. Resorts in Australia are preparing as normal for the season, but will only proceed with the blessing of the government and health authorities. Snow has begun falling on ski areas, reminding us all that winter is just around the corner.
Ski resorts in Australia generally aim to open for the Queen’s Birthday weekend, falling on 8th June this year. A recent dusting of snow and freezing temperatures has given hope that a bumper snow season is just around the corner, but all of that will be irrelevant if resorts can’t open. And although individual businesses like ski resorts haven’t been banned from opening, social distancing measures and Public Health orders in place will make it nigh on impossible to open ski areas.
Australia has had 7,081 confirmed cases of coronavirus and 100 deaths.
