We’ve Got a Moat, and We're Not Afraid to Use It: Culinary Tourism, Borders, and Tasmania

Abstract

For the first two years of the Covid-19 pandemic Australia had restricted national-borders. Tasmania, Australia's island-state, added addition restrictions to its state borders. National and state controls had significant impacts on tourism and hospitality, especially culinary tourism. The state of Tasmania attempt to stimulate the sector with vouchers for Tasmanians to travel within the state. The opening of borders to inter-state travelers has been quite disruptive, causing an increase in Covid-19 cases, affecting business and consumers. Additionally, many Tasmanians have limited their activities, although restrictions have been lifted. In this piece I trace our experiences, as a family living in Hobart during the pandemic, alongside those of Tasmania.