NEW LOCAL ROUTES NO DEPOSIT, NO WORRIES

Qantas is adding seven new domestic routes to its 2021 schedule to capitalise on a rush for local travel. They include Sydney to Griffith, Melbourne to Newcastle, Melbourne to Merimbula, Melbourne to Mount Gambier, Melbourne to Wagga Wagga, Melbourne to Albury and Adelaide to Mount Gambier.

World Expeditions has launched a zerodeposit program for bookings on all its New Zealand tours from March 2021. Payment is only required when the trip is guaranteed to go ahead. It includes guided and self-guided tours. The program is also available for international trips booked for after September 1.

NO JAB, NO FLY

The notion of needing proof of vaccination for Covid before you can travel internationally is hotly contested in the tourism industry. Gloria Guevara, head of the World Travel & Tourism Council, points to rapid-result testing as the way to kick-start travel while the logistics of worldwide vaccination are worked through.

INSURANCE

Travel Insurance Direct has launched a policy that covers some Covid events, including instances of travellers being diagnosed with infection during their journey and cancellation coverage for front-line workers required to return to work. Almost all travel insurance policies have specific exemptions for pandemics.