{"id":11176,"date":"2021-04-28T03:22:47","date_gmt":"2021-04-28T03:22:47","guid":{"rendered":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/?p=11176"},"modified":"2021-04-28T03:22:47","modified_gmt":"2021-04-28T03:22:47","slug":"going-going-almost-gone-book-your-half-price-holiday-now","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"http:\/\/www.16news.com.au\/index.php\/2021\/04\/28\/going-going-almost-gone-book-your-half-price-holiday-now\/","title":{"rendered":"Going, going, almost gone \u2013 book your half-price holiday now"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\nAustralian aviation is once again booming thanks to more than $3.8 billion of industry support invested by the Federal Government since the COVID-19 pandemic began, with the tourism industry\u2019s bounce-back well underway.
\nLast month, the Australian Government announced a $1.2 billion tourism support package which included 800,000 half-price airfares, helping a record number of Australians enjoy a holiday at home this year.
\nMore than 600,000 of those half-price flights have been snapped up in just three weeks, with Australians flocking to local tourist destinations across the country.
\nDeputy Prime Minister and Minister for Infrastructure, Transport and Regional Development said planes in the air meant jobs on the ground.
\n\u201cAustralians are taking trips in large numbers with airlines reporting sales dwarfing previous records \u2013 our aviation industry is in a remarkable position compared to where it was just one year ago,\u201d the Deputy Prime Minister said.
\n\u201cThe proof is there in the sky today, as we see Qantas, Virgin, Rex and so many other smaller airlines flying proudly, carrying Australians to their dream holidays.
\n\u201cThe benefit isn\u2019t just for those Australians embarking on their holiday at home, it\u2019s also a win for jobs in our aviation industry, local small businesses who are now doing a roaring trade and for our tourism operators who have come back to life as a result of these half-price flights.\u201d
\nMinister for Trade, Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan said the Federal Government was making the right investments at the right time to help Australia\u2019s economic recovery.
\n\u201cMore than seventy-five per cent of our half-priced tickets have been sold and the rest will go like hot cakes,\u201d Mr Tehan said.
\n\u201cMy message to Australians is take advantage of this opportunity to book a cheap holiday through your travel agent and when you\u2019re on holiday spend on a tourist activity and a night out to support tourism jobs and business.
\n\u201cFor every dollar spent on a flight ten more will be spent on the ground and from speaking to so many people in the tourism industry, I know this program has made a difference.
\n\u201cThe tourism industry is central to our National Economic Recovery Plan and, as we have done right throughout the pandemic, we will continue to make the necessary investments to support jobs across Australia.\u201d
\nAs we have done with every measure introduced throughout the pandemic, the Federal Government will continue to review this program, including routes and ticket numbers.\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/article>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n<\/div>\n