With the Australian government allowing international travel for fully vaccinated Australian citizens, the proposition of overseas travel is becoming a realistic option. But are people still reluctant to travel? Or is international travel replacing traditional domestic holidays?

According to Sprinklr’s Social Listening tool, the sentiment around international borders opening is becoming more positive. People are excited about the prospect of travelling internationally to countries such as Fiji, with many believing that it will be easier to travel internationally rather than interstate.  

New data from The University of Queensland reveals that 51 percent of Australians plan to travel internationally, now that borders are open. The results also confirm that 33 percent of Australians would prefer to travel domestically, while 16 percent said they would simply not travel at all.

For most people, international travel has been a distant dream throughout the pandemic. However, with the feeling of everything going back to a pre-COVID-19 type of normal, many Australians have itchy feet when it comes to traveling again, creating feelings of both excitement and fear.

Countries such as Fiji are seen to be hot travel spots at the moment, as there are no quarantine requirements. Despite worldwide concerns over the new omicron variant, Fiji’s international borders opened on December 1st, 2021.

There are many comments from Australians, implying that the prospect of travelling to Fiji will be easier than visiting interstate, therefore Australians are considering changing their traditional Queensland holiday to Fiji. The minister of Tourism Fiji Hon Faiyaz Koya has also revealed that 80 percent of the bookings for December 2021 and January 2022 are from Australia.

However, many people are still feeling apprehensive about the constant changing border rules and restrictions between Australia and other countries. Although the option to travel overseas is available, it is not as simple as it used to be.

There is a fundamental process involved that requires travellers to fill out a large amount of paperwork:

• Visitors must have a negative COVID-19 test no more than 72 hours before departing the country; this certificate will need to include the visitor’s passport information.

• The visitor then must take a rapid test on arrival to the country.

• A requirement of travel insurance with international coverage for COVID-19.

• Tourists and returning residents will have to stay three nights in an approved resort, they are then free to move around designated COVID-19 safe zones.

It is advertised to allow extra time at check-in, as documentation for all passengers will have to be approved by airline staff. Not to mention, that travelling internationally still poses risks such as: catching COVID-19, getting sick, borders closing, and then having to quarantine when arriving home.

Before the pandemic, tourism contributed to nearly 40% of Fiji’s gross domestic product. With Fiji’s economy heavily relying on tourism, there are hopes that the country's move to allow quarantine-free travel is a strategy to entice tourists back. But it is simply not this straightforward getting visitors into the country again.  

While many people are ready to travel again, they are not necessarily ready to comply with all the extra obstacles it may involve. Not to mention, the requirement of having insurance with international coverage for COVID-19, which many Australian insurance companies are currently not offering.

Fiji is certainly making it appealing for visitors to get on the next plane out of Australia, especially with current interstate border closures and difficulties. Although there is a light at the end of the tunnel for the pandemic, there is still a fear of the unknown around COVID-19 and international travel.

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