It was like a car smash in which the driver and passengers were battered and bruised but managed to escape the wreck, hobbling away with a new resolve to make the most of every day – because you never know what will happen next. I’m referring to COVID, of course, which hit the Australian travel industry head-on in March, steamrolling bookings, sparking record cancellations and leaving many businesses hanging by a thread.
But as revealed in this special report – based on interviews with seven of Australia’s leading property managers – the short term rental industry is emerging from the wreckage in some ways stronger than before – and there’s a sense of optimism as bookings increase, especially to leisure destinations. More
People get emotional about aircraft and the looming retirement from the Qantas fleet of the workhorse Boeing 747 Jumbo Jet has got a few people a bit teary, so Qantas is running three one-hour flights of nostalgia for aviation buffs and customers. The 747 has been serving Qantas since 1971 and is a true icon of Australian skies. Tickets go on sale July 8, cost $400 in economy and $747 for business class. The final 747-400 in the fleet will depart Sydney for its last flight on 22 July as QF7474. Destination unclear. 
Government and tourism industry campaigns encouraging consumers to book direct with accommodation providers rather than Online Travel Agents appear to be working, according to the former Managing Director of Expedia Australia, George Ruebensal.
Bain Capital has entered into an agreement to buy Virgin Australia, Australia’s second-largest airline, which entered voluntary administration on April 21. 
Qantas today announced a total operational and staffing overhaul – “rightsizing” all aspects of its operation to reflect anticipated long-term reduced demand.
Annual results from corporate travel booking platform Serko reveal a sector decimated by COVID-19 with the recovery time frame exceptionally uncertain.
Victorian Premier Daniel Andrews, who last week lampooned South Australia as a tourist destination, looks like a fool this morning as
Hilton Worldwide has announced it will shed 2100 ‘corporate’ jobs across its global network and extend current staff furloughs, reduced hours, and pay reductions for up to 90 days. 
Uluru – for many the icon of Australian tourism – will reopen to local visitors this Friday, June 19, as will Kakadu National Park in a purely symbolic boost to Australia’s travel industry, Tourist Parks Australia has revealed. 
The Airbnb gravy train is off the rails due to impact of COVID-19. Investors continued to shift their short term rental properties to the long term market in NSW, Australia’s largest state, through May with vacancies in inner Sydney hitting an 18-year high, “a trend that’s likely to continue.”
Respected economic commentator Alan Kohler has slammed the Federal Government for its short-sighted fiscal abuse of tourism businesses on two fronts – first by shutting the industry down and then not providing any targetted support.
