There has been concerted collaboration for many years to make this region a must-visit destination for travellers and that will no doubt continue once the shackles are released on December 15 and beyond.

Northern Tasmania has a lot to offer.

Brilliant food and wine, the state's best mountain biking trails, a variety of quality hotels and plenty of visitor experiences.

Tasmania being named Place Brand of the Year at the City Nation Place awards held in London this week also shows the state is well regarded abroad.

Before the pandemic, the Launceston Airport was seeing record numbers pass through its gates and passenger-hungry airlines have been quick to set up direct routes out of Northern Tasmania to new markets.

Perth, Gold Coast and Adelaide routes are great for people looking to get away or reconnect with family and friends interstate.

But we're going to have to fight Virgin Australia and Jetstar to keep them as their more traditional and profitable routes crack back to full capacity. Because unless their planes are full, we can say bon voyage to these direct flights once the interstate rush is over, and Tasmanians and visitors will once again have to settle for transiting through Melbourne and Sydney.

The tourism economy will be different on the COVID flip side and with international pledges to reduce carbon emissions by 2050. Tasmanian will have to rethink its target markets. Does it go after the big-spending tourists from Europe and America, or does it primarily focus on tourists in our geographical backyard?

Either way, removing barriers to travel once everyone has had a chance to be vaccinated is good news.

The Tasmanian government appears to have listened to business and tourism stakeholder concerns by removing the need for travellers from low-risk areas having to test negative before landing in the state.

Because we can't afford to stall all of this good momentum.