With lockdowns behind them and borders easing, Australians are planning to spend billions this Easter—the first holiday period in two years where people can travel largely free of CCP virus restrictions, a survey from Australia’s peak retail body reveals. “Australians have had their travel restricted through the pandemic, but with the borders opened and safety protocols relaxed, people will be taking advantage of the Easter long weekend,” the Australian Retailers Association (ARA) CEO Paul Zahra said. “This is a significant boost for tourism operators and local businesses who’ve been doing it tough these past two years.” An estimated four million are planning a trip away, with $7.1 billion (US$5 billion) to be spent on holidays and $1.5 billion (US$1 billion) on food and chocolate. In collaboration with Roy Morgan, ARA’s research found that those aged 35-49—the age group which is most likely to have a family in tow—are planning to …