‘Unholy confluence’: School holiday lockdown the last straw for tourism sector

An “unholy confluence" with COVID-19 outbreaks and the school holidays have been the final nail in the coffin for Australia’s tourism sector, says Tourism and Transport Forum’s CEO Margy Osmond.

Greater Sydney’s extended lockdown, which disrupted holiday plans during the recent school holidays, has cost tourism businesses nationwide at least $6 billion in lost revenue.

Describing the situation as “grim”, Ms Osmond said the unpredictability of the coronavirus has been a big blow to consumer confidence in the industry.

“There’s some unholy confluence with the virus and the school holidays, so we’ve had three sets of school holidays that have been stymied for one reason or another relating to lockdowns and the virus,” she said.

“It’s three strikes and you’re out and people are tired of booking and not being able to travel so we have some confidence rebuilding issues.

“I think there are many businesses for whom this period, the school holiday failure, and the lockdown, will mean now running up the white flag – that will be it.”