Certainty, guidance and a commitment to keeping borders open - that is what Australia's tourism industry is calling for as the Omicron variant threatens to once again push the sector into chaos.
While noting governments had initially responded to surging case numbers by sticking to reopening plans, the Australian Tourism Export Council says only a solid stance on borders will keep tourism trending upwards.
ATEC managing director Peter Shelley said travellers and workers alike copped it when border arrangements continually change.
He said consumer travelling confidence had eroded, and will keep doing so unless governments hold fast on reopening plans.
"Right now, in light of the Omicron variant, we need a steady hand from governments who must show tolerance of what may be the beginning of a range of new COVID variants," Mr Shelley said.
"The tourism industry cannot sustain a start-stop approach, particularly those businesses which are organising international travellers who are coming here to enjoy Australia's tourism experiences."
Finance Minister Simon Birmingham encouraged states to push ahead with border openings, at least in part so tourism can rise once more.
"(States have) got to do so in ways that ensure people can effectively reunite with their loved ones, that travel can effectively resume and, particularly, those tourism businesses across Queensland can have consumers with confidence to actually travel to them," he said.
"That's where they've got to really iron out some of the creases."
