Lockdowns throw travel plans into chaos | ticker VIEWS

The domestic travel market in Australia has been recovering quite well in recent months, but is that all about to change?

Recent lockdowns in Australia are threatening the travel market as states close borders to one another.

A growing cluster in New South Wales has spread to other parts of the nation, with Queensland, Darwin and Perth now facing troubled times.

Four cities have been declared hot spots and are now in lockdown.

Other surrounding states such as Melbourne, Victoria have snapped the border shut to infected states in hopes to curb the spread.

But this recent uptick in cases in a nation that once prided itself on managing the virus, is bad news for the travel market. Airlines, hotels and destinations that rely on tourists to earn a dollar, are right now anxiously awaiting what governments next announcement.

Flights grounded, again

Hundreds of flights right around Australia have been cancelled as borders are snapped shut, meaning passengers either dump holiday plans or spend two weeks in quarantine or simply, cop a fine from police for crossing the border (that’s if they don’t have permits).

Airlines will now have to cop the financial losses with customers forced to cancel travel arrangements, further resulting in airline crews again being stood down.

Travel agents in overdrive

Travel agencies around Australia are now working overtime to rebook passengers and for some, assist them with cancellations.

Lauren McLean of Flight Centre Australia says during these times of uncertainty, it has never been more important to book through an agent.

That’s because travel agents have the power and ability to bargain with airlines and hotels on refunds and policies to best suit the customer, meaning they do the nitty-gritty.