Border bonanza: Tourists set to pour in when state opens

Data from leading travel companies shows a surge in bookings for Queensland holidays post-December 17, with the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane the top destinations.

Interstate travellers are poised to pour into Queensland when the state’s border wall comes down next month.

Data from leading travel companies Wotif.com and Flight Centre shows a surge in bookings for Queensland holidays post-December 17, with the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Brisbane the top destinations.

Wotif recorded a 45 per cent increase in demand for holiday bookings across Queensland once border restrictions ease with the Whitsundays experiencing a huge jump of more than 80 per cent.

However, Queenslanders themselves appear cautious of heading interstate with data suggesting they are more likely to holiday within the state in the early stages of the reopening.

That should create an ideal scenario for the state’s tourism operators, easing fears Queenslanders would be ready to rush out the door en masse as soon as travel restrictions ease.

Ivan Maxwell and Marvie Luna enjoy a drink at Inchcolm by Ovolo with GM and Bartender Nathan Dean. Ovolo group director of marketing Stephen Howard said the certainty of Queensland’s reopening was having a great impact on bookings. Picture: John Gass

Relaxing the need to quarantine for 14 days on return had been expected to be the major motivation for Queenslanders to travel beyond the state borders again.

Before Covid, Queenslanders typically accounted for about 40 per cent of the state’s total tourism numbers, a similar figure to interstate visitors

Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said the solid booking numbers should give hope to the state’s tourism operators that the worst of the pandemic may finally be in the rear window.

“It’s fantastic to see the positive impact on the Queensland tourism industry, and we can’t wait to see Aussies travelling to the Sunshine State once again,” he said.

“We hope this summer provides a much-needed boost for Queensland operators after the difficulties of the last two years.”

The data is supported by airfare bookings on Flight Centre, which shows a 130 per cent for travel the week after the border reopens.

The increase is also significantly more than the same time period in 2019, when the coronavirus was just a snippet on news bulletins from China.

A Flight Centre spokesman said bookings reflected a new air of optimism surrounding travel, at least on the domestic scene.

“We’ve seen a very positive response to the various border reopening announcements throughout Australia,” he said.

“As expected, travellers have welcomed being able to, once again, take-off for holidays or to simply catch-up with friends and family after such a long period of isolation.”

Brisbane’s Ovolo The Valley hotel is one of many hotels gearing up for an influx of visitors.

Ovolo group director of marketing Stephen Howard said the certainty of Queensland’s reopening was having a great impact on bookings.

“The pent-up demand is quite strong and the fact there is a lot more security now certainly helps,” he said.

“People know they can book a holiday and they’re not likely to have to cancel because of lockdowns or closures again.

“They feel confident to travel.”

QUEENSLAND’S MOST POPULAR TOURIST DESTINATIONS

(For travel after December 17 according to Wotif)

1. Gold Coast

2. Brisbane

3. Sunshine Coast

4. Whitsundays

5. Cairns