National tourism campaign includes Bundaberg, Fraser Island experiences

The first Queensland tourism havens highlighted in multimillion advertising campaigns featuring island and Great Barrier Reef deals, have been announced as the Premier pitches regional gems ahead of a return to international travel.

Holiday deals on Fraser Island and the Great Barrier Reef will be offered as the State Government funds campaigns to woo tourists to Queensland.

Fully vaccinated travellers and holiday-makers have been encouraged to take advantage of a number of holiday deals in the Wide Bay made available through $5.2 million worth of national tourism campaigns.

Speaking at Mon Repos in Bundaberg on Wednesday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the first campaigns of their kind in 18 months would be aimed at rebuilding the state’s tourism industry.

“I want to thank Queenslanders for getting out and supporting our tourism sector,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“We know our tourism industry has been going through a really tough time over the last two years, especially those areas that really rely on international tourism.

“In about 12 days time, the international borders will be open for travellers. That is welcome news for businesses that have really been struggling.”

Among the hardest-hit tourism destinations in the Wide Bay is Fraser Island which will be offering a $1 breakfast deal, as well as the Mon Repos Research Centre at Bundaberg, which was forced to cancel nightly turtle tours at the start of Queensland’s covid outbreak in March 2020.

“30,000 visitors were coming here before covid, now they’re getting about 180 people each night during the turtle season,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

“The history of this region and the preservation is just fantastic and that’s why our government put in $17 million into Mon Repos and the conservation centre, so more visitors can learn more about the turtles.”

Prior to the covid outbreak in Queensland, tourism injected $507 million of visitor expenditure into the Bundaberg Region economy.

Fraser Island is set to offer $1 breakfast deals. Pictured: Lake Mackenzie, Fraser Island.

Bundaberg Tourism CEO Katherine Reid said she was pleased to see a number of experiences on offer across the region, including a day trip from Brisbane to Bundaberg with Alliance Airlines for visitors to explore the Great Barrier Reef and Lady Musgrave Island.

“This Great Queensland Getaway going on sale on Sunday is a much needed help and push to drive bookings to our tourism businesses over the coming months and support regional economies like the Bundaberg Region,” she said.

“People all over Australia will be able to snap up Queensland Getaways with flights, accommodation, attractions, tours and experiences on sale, which we’re super excited about.”

The deals also include two-for-one tours at the Hinkler Hall of Aviation and kids staying for free at selected Bargara accommodation.

Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk walks through the Mon Repos Turtle Research Centre.

Queensland Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchcliffe said the experiences would be nationally marketed through two $5.2 million campaigns.

“This experience here is just one of so many experiences right across this region and the state that will be highlighted in our Great Queensland Getaway campaign, adding to the Days Like This campaign targeted into Sydney and Melbourne,’ Mr Hinchliffe said.

Local tourism businesses reached out to Labor MP Tom Smith during the covid crisis, voicing their concerns about the future of the industry.

Mr Smith said the welcome announcement would allow tourists to explore the regions best tourism offerings.

“Book the tickets for the flight or put the kids in the car, fire up the winnebago and come and say g’day here in Bundaberg, we’re happy to have you.”