Queensland tourism sector basking in $2b Easter bonanza

THE Easter holidays have delivered a monster sugar hit to the Queensland tourism industry in a windfall worth an eye-watering amount.

It’s the gift that keeps on giving for Queensland tourism.A year after an incredible $2 billion bonanza, the Easter holidays are expected to deliver a similar windfall for tourism operators across the state.

Brisbane Airport has experienced its busiest week since the start of the coronavirus pandemic, while hotels and camping grounds across the state are bursting at the seams.

While the summer holiday period traditionally delivers more tourists, Easter is seen as a better outcome for the industry because the visitors are condensed into a shorter time frame and all corners of the state benefit, unlike the December-January period which is largely confined to Queensland’s southeast corner.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Easter was again hitting the sweet spot for the industry.

“Whether it’s Southern Queensland Country, the coast or the Outback, Easter has always been a magical time of year to enjoy Queensland’s awe-inspiring diversity of visitor experiences,” he said.

“Traditionally, Easter is when the visitor economy really bounces into gear with Queensland’s weather almost tailor-made for travel.

“Indicators in the last fortnight have been pointing to a bumper Easter with local and interstate families making a beeline to iconic Queensland getaway destinations.

“We’re on track to match last year’s $2b April tourism bonanza with solid, job-supporting demand for Queensland getaways from local, interstate and New Zealand visitors.”

The Hibberd family, James, Peta, two-year-old Tucker and eight-month-old Eddie, are visiting the Sunshine Coast for Easter from Sunbury in Victoria. Picture: Richard Walker

The surge in visitor numbers comes as Brisbane Airport celebrates its busiest week since before the arrival of the coronavirus pandemic in early 2020.

Brisbane Airport saw almost 69,000 passengers on Thursday – a post-pandemic record, and similar numbers were recorded on Friday.

The passenger numbers have seen significantly more incoming than outgoing travellers, in a further sign of Queensland’s popularity this Easter.

“When Brisbane Airport is busy, Queensland is busy and that means jobs across our tourism-powered state,” said airport spokesman Peter Doherty.

Queensland Caravan Parks Association CEO Michelle Weston said it was shaping as another bumper Easter for the sector.

“Overwhelmingly the parks are reporting a strong Easter,” she said.

“Easter is traditionally one of the busiest periods for caravan parks and campgrounds in Queensland (and) while this weekend, is very busy, many parks have told us that the rest of the school holidays are slightly softer and for those looking for a getaway in the second week of the Queensland school holidays there are still sites available.”

Melbourne’s Hibberd family was spending Easter on the Sunshine Coast to visit friends who recently made the move north.

James Hibberd said the family was looking forward to a Queensland escape after arriving at Brisbane Airport on Friday.

“We thought we would make the most of the long weekend and escape the Melbourne weather to enjoy some sunshine in Queensland,” he said..

Rising interest rates and cost of living pressures have also done little to stem the wanderlust of Aussies, with research from buy now, pay later company Zip showing Australians living in regional areas and smaller suburbs are prioritising travel plans this year.

A survey of more than 50,000 households found those living in those regions were more likely to splash on travel.

The analysis suggested those areas tended to have older demographics, which often means households have less financial responsibilities in terms of children or dependants.

Postcodes with smaller populations also tend to be more affluent as they often have smaller or no mortgages and therefore have higher disposable income.