Business travel set to take off as QLD international border restrictions lifted

Flight Centre Corporate has welcomed the Queensland Government announcement that quarantine for fully vaccinated international travellers will be lifted from 1am on Saturday, 22 January, paving the way for business travel to take off once again to and from the Sunshine State.

Statistics from the Australian Government Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade shows that in 2019-20, Queensland exported more than $90 billion worth of goods and services, while importing just over $61 billion, leaving a total balance of just over $30 billion.

Managing Director Australia James Kavanagh said pre-and post-arrival testing for business travellers was a real pain point for people wanting to trade and work in the Sunshine State and the new lifting of restrictions would provide real confidence in the corporate world.

“We’ve long championed vaccinations as the pathway to freedom and with all testing requirements now abolished, Queensland is very much open for business to the rest of the globe, it’s a significant day for the business travel world,” Mr Kavanagh said. 

“Australia has been a world-leader when it comes to vaccination rates and you only have to look at the number of enquiries we’ve received and the number of searches carried out through both FCM and Corporate Traveller to know the pent-up demand to travel for business is very much there. 

“There’s no doubt that travel is different to how it used to be – but different doesn’t have to be a negative thing at all, as we now have the highest ever levels of hygiene and the ability for airlines to be more flexible, ideal for a business traveller that may have last minute changes to their itinerary.

“The removal of these requirements will also enable businesses to conduct day trips more easily and with certainty, without the worry of finding somewhere to get tested, or clock-watching for the results to come through before travelling.

“There could be some bumps in the road as the corporate world adjusts to a ‘new normal’ but what we do know is businesses big and small need to travel to survive and thrive and it’s never been more vital to have a travel management company on your side to help navigate rules and regulations.

“We applaud the lifting of testing requirements for both domestic and international arrivals into the Sunshine State and we are hopeful there will be no need for a return to such restrictions as we once again open the world for those who want to see."