Amazing food, pristine beaches and the world's best theme parks: The holiday spots Australians could soon enjoy thanks to special travel bubbles when we hit 80 per vaccine rate
Australians could be able to jet off to a long list overseas destinations for holidays as early as January 2022, as the government confirms it is considering opening travel bubbles when vaccine targets are met.
Travel is set to reopen for some of the most sought after holiday spots on the globe once 80 per cent of the country has been immunised, federal minister for trade, tourism and investment Dan Tehan told Parliament in Canberra.
'Not only will we have travel bubbles with New Zealand but the Pacific Islands, Singapore, South Korea, Japan, the US, and the UK are all possibilities,' Mr Tehan said on Wednesday.
Australian could be able to travel overseas by January with the government confirming travel bubbles with countries like Japan would open at 80 per cent Covid vaccination rates
Those eager to experience a new city would be able to jet off to London as travel bubbles are opened when vaccine rates hit 80 per cent
He confirmed in phase C of the government's roadmap out of Covid when 80 per cent of the population has been full-vaccinated some international travel restrictions will be lifted and travel bubbles expanded.
Australia's international border was closed on March 20 last year and while Aussies could still holiday domestically, frequent lockdowns and state border closures have seen the tourism industry struggle.
Mr Tehan said resuming foreign travel would 'mean dollars in tourism businesses and more importantly... security for the 660,000 people who are employed in our tourism industry.'
'The impact that this pandemic has had on the domestic tourism industry and on our international tourism industry has been severe,' he said.
'The national plan which details a way out of this pandemic, which lays out how we can learn to live with this virus, has been extremely welcomed by the tourism industry.'
Tourism minister Dan Tehan said Japan (pictured is Tokyo) was one of the destination being looked at for a 2022 travel bubble
The government's National Plan includes four phases.
The nation is currently in phase A which involves suppressing the virus with restrictions, lockdowns, and early vaccination.
Once 70 per cent of the country aged over 16 is fully vaccinated phase B will kick in which will see an easing of most restrictions and state border closures.
'When we get to phase B, which is 70 per cent vaccination rate, Australians will have more freedom to see their loved ones and go to sporting events, and that means travel,' Mr Tehan said.
South Korea was also specifically mentioned by Mr Tehan as an option for holiday-starved Aussies
As was Singapore which has a vibrant street food culture and is a short plane flight away
Then phase C will be activated at 80 per cent of people fully vaccinated which will include opening up international travel and short, highly specific lockdowns.
Data collating website covidlive estimates Australia will hit 80 per cent vaccination in early January 2022 based on current vaccination rates.
Phase D is the 'post vaccination' stage in which booster vaccinations will be offered and internationals arrivals uncapped and quarantine eased.
State borders were largely opened in the second half of 2020 but with the Delta variant reaching our shores they are again being closed throughout the country - particularly to New South Wales which is in the midst of a second wave of the virus.
Similarly a travel bubble which was opened with New Zealand in April 2021 was paused for eight weeks last month.
Australia currently has 51.4 per cent of people with one jab and 31.5 have had both vaccinations.
World famous beaches such as Los Angeles' Manhattan Beach could once again be visited by Aussies keen to board a plane
Singapore was a popular destination for Australians looking for a short holiday
What are the four phases of opening up?
A. Vaccinate, prepare and pilot (from July 14)
Arrival caps cut in half to 3,035 a week; early, stringent and short lockdowns if outbreaks occur; trials of seven-day home quarantine for vaccinated arrivals in South Australia; medicare vaccination certificates available on apps like apple wallet
B. Post vaccination phase (when 70 per cent are jabbed, expected late this year)
Lockdowns 'less likely but possible'; vaccinated people face reduced restrictions; caps for unvaccinated arrivals increased; a larger cap for vaccinated arrivals with 'reduced quarantine requirements'; capped entry for students and economic visa holders
C. Consolidation phase (when 80 per cent are jabbed, time not announced)
Lifting all restrictions for outbound travel for vaccinated travellers; no caps for vaccinated arrivals; increased caps for students and visa holders; more travel bubbles being set up with countries such as Singapore; booster shots rolled out
D. Final phase (percentage or time not announced)
Uncapped arrivals for vaccinated people without any quarantine and uncapped arrivals for unvaccinated people with testing before departure and on arrival