Cheap flights, hotels up for grabs in $8m tourism bonanza

Discounted flights, hotels and other travel experiences are all up for grabs as part of a new $8 million campaign to boost Queensland tourism. Here’s how to book.

Queensland’s ailing tourism industry will receive a multimillion-dollar boost set to send hordes of holidaymakers across the state this summer.

While frustration continues at the uncertainty surrounding when Queensland will reopen borders, the state government will on Thursday announce an $8m tourism campaign offering discounted flights, hotels and other travel experiences in a fresh bid to ignite the industry’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.

The campaign will take the state government’s tourism spending during the pandemic past the $1bn mark after a series of initiatives, including “Holiday Dollars” promotions, subsidies or grants for struggling businesses and partnerships with the federal government.

It is hoped the campaign will generate up to $80m in economic spending for the tourism industry.

The Great Queensland Getaway will launch on Monday with bookings valid from then until December 12 for airfares and January 23 for other experiences.

Dave and Jess Moloney from Rockhampton on holiday at Cotton Tree on the Sunshine Coast with their one-year-old daughter Grace. Picture: Lachie Millard

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said now was the time to book a Queensland holiday as attention turned to life beyond the pandemic.

“I’ve seen first-hand the significant impact the pandemic has had on tourism businesses right throughout the state,” she said.

“We’re working hard to find new ways to support tourism businesses to make it through these challenging times. This campaign will entice thousands of Queenslanders to get out and explore their own state. There’s never been a better excuse to book a Queensland holiday.”

Nixon Brass and Mara Douglas with ''CJ' the koala held by wildlife officer Kylie Lawless at Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast is one of the hundreds of operators involved in the campaign. The park’s head of marketing and sales Scott Kirk said it was a “fantastic” opportunity to encourage more visitors.

“This is great timing for us as we have just launched our new Grazy Arvo with Koalas experience where guests can enjoy an admission and an afternoon grazing platter while sitting in the serenity of our koala habitat area,” he said.

Virgin airlines, Greyhound buses, Accor hotels and hundreds of other tourism businesses are involved in the campaign. It is also open to attractions, experiences and travel providers across the state, rather than previous campaigns that were targeted to specific regions.

The campaign will run for two weeks unless the thousands of deals are sold out sooner.