Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton visits Gold Coast and urges Australians to visit for Easter

The Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton - after a visit to the Gold Coast - is becoming its biggest promoter, telling the rest of the country to put it top of their holiday bookings list.

Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton has a message for Australia in the wake of visiting the Gold Coast on Tuesday - get to the Glitter Strip for your Easter holidays.

Mr Dutton fronted media with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate at Ashmore on Tuesday afternoon following a briefling on the impacts of Cyclone Alfred’s destructive passing near the city across the weekend.

“I think one of the most important messages out of today is that if you’re thinking about booking a holiday for Easter, then look to one of these regions, including the Gold Coast, that has been affected by the cyclone and make sure you book the holiday today.

“If you can get onto one of the websites for Virgin or for Qantas, whoever it might be, there’ll be packages available,” he said.

He added: “One of the concerns here at the moment is that you move into the next phase and people either cancel their accommodation or decide to go somewhere else.

“For this community, particularly with the number of small businesses that have been impacted, and right across south-east Queensland, that would be devastating for them and devastating for the employees in those businesses.

City of Gold Coast CEO Tim Baker fills in the Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton on the state of the Gold Coast at the Local Disaster Coordination Centre; Moncrieff MP Angie Bell (right). Picture: Adam Head

“So, for a tourism city like the Gold Coast, it’s important that people hear the message the Gold Coast is really open for business again and to talk about your Easter bookings and have that discussion with your family and ultimately with the company that can make the booking for you as well.”

His comments come as the Gold Coast tourism and marketing leaders prepare to launch a major campaign reminding the rest of the country the Gold Coast is open for business particurlarly the southern states of Victoria and NSW.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate is promising to return tourism hub beaches at Surfers Paradise and Broadbeach to their former glory by Easter.

The Leader of the Opposition Peter Dutton was in Ashmore on Tuesday, at the Gold Coast Local Disaster Coordination Centre with Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate (far left), Deputy Mayor Donna Gates and City of Gold Coast Tim Baker. Picture: Adam Head

Originally published as Federal Opposition leader Peter Dutton visits Gold Coast and urges Australians to visit for Easter