‘Grab your boardies and get down here’: Tourist hubs celebrate
Queensland’s tourism hubs are urging Brisbanites to get out of town for Easter, following the announcement the Greater Brisbane lockdown would end at midday.
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The Gold Coast is bracing for its busiest week since before the start of the coronavirus pandemic, with a massive influx of tourists set to touch down over the coming days.
In more good news for the tourism industry following the decision to end Brisbane’s lockdown, about 15,000 passengers and more than 50 flights a day are anticipated into Gold Coast Airport over the coming days, with tourism operators across the city set to benefit from the influx of holidaymakers.
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Queensland Airports Limited CEO Chris Mills said passenger and flight numbers had remained high in the lead up to Easter and confirmation of the Brisbane lockdown ending would give people even more confidence to travel.
“News of the Brisbane lockdown ending gives travellers confidence that their Easter plans will go ahead on the Gold Coast,” he said.
“This will be our busiest weekend since the borders first closed.”
Mr Mills said there was more good news for holidaymakers this week when half-price airfares went on sale as part of the Federal Government’s Tourism Aviation Network Support scheme and tickets to the Gold Coast dipped as low as $44 one way.
“These tickets are proving to be really popular and I would encourage people to jump online and book their next holiday before they are all gone,” he said.
Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate has welcomed the announcement that the Greater Brisbane lockdown will end today.
“Brisbanites .. grab your board shorts and get down here,’’ he said.
“We have the best of the beaches, the best hinterland breaks and the best thrill rides. It’s time to escape the lockdown and enjoy everything we have to offer.’’
The Mayor said the Federal Government’s aviation support package was also operating, with 800,000 discount seats across Australia.
“The main website search engines are running hot and the Gold Coast is the No 1 location so far as people searching for a great holiday,” he said.
“That doesn’t surprise me. When you see one-way fares from as little as $32 … that’s as cheap as a pizza and a beer so start booking.’’
Mayor Tate urged Gold Coasters to follow normal social distancing and mask-wearing rules.
“Greater Brisbane lockdown rules have eased – but some restrictions remain for the next 14 days,” he said.
Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the announcement was ‘the best outcome we could have hoped for’.
“The last 72 hours have bee exceptionally difficult, so this is great news for operators and for visitors and we really need them at the moment,” she said.
She said arrival numbers through Gold Coast Airport had been strong over the past few days and it was still looking like a solid Easter, despite the impact of cancellations.
The Gold Coast typically receives a mix of interstate and intrastate visitors for Easter and Ms O’Callaghan threw out the welcome mat for Brisbane residents who can now celebrate the end of lockdown.
“They deserve a well-earned break, so come on down,” she said.
Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the lifting of the lockdown coincided perfectly with the launch of the Federal Governments half-price airfares scheme.
“We are very relieved that the Brisbane lockdown will be lifted from midday today and that community transmission cases have been kept to a minimum, as the Sunshine Coast’s largest market over the Easter long-weekend and school holiday periods traditionally comes from the Greater Brisbane area,” he said.
“Whilst many accommodation operators reported cancellations because of the uncertainty, fortunately, the majority of travellers from Brisbane and interstate maintained their bookings and can now keep their Easter plans and enjoy their vacation to the Sunshine Coast.”
Mr Stoeckel said Visit Sunshine Coast was heavily promoting half-price flights from Sydney, Melbourne, Canberra and Adelaide.
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