$1bn Easter booking blitz after Greater Brisbane lockdown

A last-minute booking blitz have Queensland tourism leaders hopeful of an even bigger Easter than was expected before the snap lockdown of Greater Brisbane this week.

It’s Queensland tourism’s own Easter resurrection.

Just days after fears the holiday period would be ruined by Brisbane’s coronavirus outbreak, a last-minute bookings blitz has renewed hope of a $1 billion bonanza for Queensland’s battling tourism industry this Easter.

Tourism and Events Queensland research last week had revealed more than 3.5 million Aussies were planning an Easter holiday in the Sunshine State before Brisbane’s snap three-day lockdown wiped an estimated $35 million from the coffers of accommodation providers.

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However, a huge spike in last minute bookings on leading travel platform Wotif.com, coupled with record-breaking sales figures from the federal government’s half-price airfare sale, have tourism operators hopeful of an even bigger Easter than what was predicted before the lockdown.

The Forward family – including Zahli, 7 Theo, 9, Grace, 12, and Justus, 11 – from Logan enjoyed a day at Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast. Picture: NIGEL HALLETT

Accommodation Association of Australia data reported that up to 20 per cent of Queensland holiday bookings were cancelled after Greater Brisbane was plunged into lockdown on Tuesday, but many travellers held their nerve, while others responded to the lifting of travel restrictions with a bookings blitz on hotel and airline websites.

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Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said hotel and hospitality operators in Brisbane had been hard hit by the lockdown, but it was hoped others across the state had gained ground.

“This is an example of that pent-up demand where people have been ready to go out and enjoy themselves and the end of the lockdown has sparked that urge to get out there and travel,” he said.

“Airports and airlines are reporting strong passenger loads and that in turn gives a boost in confidence to operators.

“It’s great to see things develop in to a much better Easter than what we had thought only a few days ago.”

Virgin yesterday reported the biggest sales surge in the airline’s 20-year history, thanks largely to the combination of the lockdown ending and the start of the federal government’s half-price airfare scheme, while Gold Coast Airport was bracing for its busiest weekend since before the pandemic, with the arrival of 50 flights a day.

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Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said many businesses had ground to make up after the spate of cancellations, but the early signs were encouraging.

“It’s been a good start to the Easter weekend with a number of operators and our accommodation sector reporting that they have made up some of the lost ground in the past 24 hours with last minute bookings, especially from Brisbane,” she said.

“We have ramped up marketing efforts across Queensland and interstate to remind Australians why they should choose the Gold Coast for their Easter and school holidays.

Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O'Callaghan.

“This includes welcoming back our Brisbane visitors who deserve a well earned break.

“We are confident the Gold Coast will continue to make up ground through the school holidays as people re-evaluate their travel plans.”

Logan’s Forward family made the most of the first day of freedom since the lifting of the Greater Brisbane lockdown with a trip to Tallebudgera Creek on the Gold Coast.

They arrived at 7am, which was just as well – by midmorning there wasn’t a spare car park within a kilometre of the popular beach.