Tourism Australia announced that it is “delighted to be welcoming back travellers from India” as Australia reopened its international crossings to travellers vaccinated against Covid-19 on Monday.
To entice potential visitors, the island nation has granted a visa application fee waiver for tourists whose visa to Australia has expired or is about to expire between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2022. The recent introduction of direct flights by Qantas and Air India will also benefit travellers.
In a news statement, Tourism Australia reported that their recent Consumer Demand Project data indicates that 1.8 million (or 82 per cent) of 2.2 million ‘ High-Value Travellers’ from India expect to visit Australia in the next two years.
“Our research has consistently shown that there is a huge pent-up demand for travel to Australia amongst Indian travellers. Through our campaign activities, engaging Public Relations (PR) and Advocacy initiatives, collaborations with Key Distribution Partners (KDPs) and airline partners, we are optimistic of converting this demand and seeing India return to growth in arrivals to Australia,” Nishant Kashikar, Country Manager (India and Gulf), Tourism Australia, was quoted as saying in the press release.
There will be a high demand for travel to Australia in the run-up to the ICC World T20 event, which will take place in October and November this year. Tourism Australia also stated that it will work with tour operators such as MakeMyTrip, Pick Your Trail, Thomas Cook, SOTC, Kesari Tours, Kulin Kumar Holidays, Travel Tours, Veena World, and airline partners such as Singapore Airlines, Malaysia Airlines, Air India, and Qantas to encourage early bookings to Australia.
Tourism Australia Managing Director Phillipa Harrison said, “At Tourism Australia we are so excited to be welcoming back international visitors who make up a critical part of our visitor economy. We know Australia remains an incredibly desirable destination, especially for visitors from India and we can’t wait to once again share all of the unforgettable tourism experiences we have to offer here in Australia.”
Visa
Travellers who held a guest visa (Subclass 600) that expired or will expire between 20 March 2020 and 30 June 2022 are eligible for a free future visitor visa under Visa Application Charge (VAC) waiver rules. However, in order to be eligible for the waiver, customers must submit their applications before December 31.
Travel Regulations
Travellers to Australia must have a valid visa, a vaccination certificate demonstrating two doses of Covishield or Covaxin, and a negative fast antigen test or RT-PCR result obtained within 72 hours of departure. In addition, they must submit a digital passenger declaration 72 hours before their departure.
Within 24 hours of their arrival in Australia, all visitors must complete a self-monitored quick antigen test.
Furthermore, visitors to South Australia will be required to undergo a PCR test within 24 hours of arrival, while visitors to Western Australia would be required to undergo a fast antigen test within 12 hours of arrival.
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