COVID-19 “travel bubble” could open up travel between Australia, NZ and Asia

In a positive sign for the Asian ski industry, Australia’s National COVID-19 Co-ordination Commission boss Nev Power has revealed that a “travel bubble” that includes Australia, New Zealand, South Korea, China and Japan is being considered.

Whether the bubble would be put in place in time for the 2020/21 season is unclear.

“We have very significant trade links with Japan, Korea, China so there may be opportunities to restart that”, said Powell in a recent interview with the The West Australian.

“Our resources sector relies very heavily on those Asian markets and there may be need for travel there.

“When we feel comfortable and confident that we both won’t receive cases from Australia, but equally that we won’t export them, then that will be the time to move.”

The COVID-19 pandemic has destroyed the international travel industry, but many skiers wait in hope that some semblance of normality will return before the next Northern Hemisphere winter.

In a recent poll, Ski Asia asked readers how COVID-19 has affected their travel plans for 2020/21, to which 74% answered “I will wait to see how the situation develops over the next few months”.

This travel bubble may be the answer that many are hoping for.