Inbound tourism numbers eclipse pre-Covid figures
Cairns is bustling with visitors enjoying a winter break which has beaten pre-Covid levels. FIND OUT WHY
Cairns
Don't miss out on the headlines from Cairns. Followed categories will be added to My News.
CAIRNS Airport is busier than it ever was before Covid.
Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said domestic passenger numbers for the week starting on June 20 were 91,457. For June 27 that figure swelled to 94,201.
Mr Barker said this eclipsed pre-pandemic numbers, which were 90,452 at the same time in 2019.
“During the pandemic, Cairns Airport worked with the airlines to add 500,000 new seats of capacity into Cairns per annum – more planes from more places have enabled more visitors,” Mr Barker said.
He said there was strong demand from domestic travellers and staggered school holidays across three states had extended the travel period.
“This increased visitor growth also highlights the vibrancy of the Far North and our popularity as a domestic holiday destination, particularly during winter when the southern states are feeling the chill,” Mr Barker said.
“People who may have otherwise gone overseas at this time of year are coming to Far North Queensland.”
More Coverage
Originally published as Inbound tourism numbers eclipse pre-Covid figures
How they voted: Cairns pre-polling unveils unexpected political issues
Pre-polling Far North residents appear to have already made up their minds as early voting centres opened their doors with surprising reasons driving voter decision making.
Far North’s ‘voices’ to parliament reveal their efforts one year on
The Far North’s three elected parliamentarians reveal what efforts they’ve made in the space of Indigenous affairs, one year after the failed referendum.