Australia is becoming the destination of choice for local travellers forced to cancel or delay overseas holidays as the coronavirus outbreak continues.
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While international travel has taken a plunge, holiday makers are turning to domestic travel to fill the void, one Tamworth travel agent said.
"We've seen an increase in bookings to Tasmania, North Queensland, the top end in the Northern Territory," Chris Watson Travel owner Chris Watson said.
"People who had a holiday planned still need a break, they still need to recharge."
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Mr Watson's agency estimated it had seen a 40 per cent growth in the domestic market - something he said was uncommon in the industry.
Meanwhile, he estimated a 20 per cent drop in international sales - a figure he is expecting to get worse before it gets better.
Mr Watson said it's usually a busy period of bookings for travel agents, but instead his staff are working "around the clock" to reschedule flights, delay trips and cancel bookings.
Travel company giant Flight Centre announced on Friday it would close up to 100 stores across Australia by June 30 amid uncertainty of the coronavirus impact.
The affected stores have not been named.
Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced on Friday afternoon all group gatherings of more than 500 people should be cancelled, from Monday.
Mr Watson said travellers needed to be "smart" and keep up to date with advice from the government's Smart Traveller website.
One Tamworth woman, Jan Hahn is making the best of her weeks off work by camping in Queensland after her holiday to China and Japan was cancelled.
"We didn't want to get stranded anywhere and we didn't want to get sick," she said.
"We know you can catch [COVID-19] in Australia, but at least we would be at home.
"Australia is a beautiful country and we can't wait to take off for a holiday and see some more of it."
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Police and crime reporter at the Newcastle Herald. Email: afalkenmire@austcommunitymedia.com.au
