Queenslanders rush to book holidays for new long weekend

There has been an extraordinary response to the decision to use the belated Ekka public holiday to create a new long weekend in spring in southeast Queensland.

There has been a massive surge in demand for Queensland holidays following the announcement of an October long weekend to replace the Ekka Show Day.

Following Tuesday’s announcement to designate Friday, October 29 as a public holiday, leading travel operator Wotif.com recorded an massive spike in website traffic as Queenslanders rushed to scope holiday options.

Ekka Show Day public holiday locked in for Friday, October 29

The huge numbers will give heart to tourism operators left battered and bruised in a year marred by repeated Covid outbreaks, lockdowns and border bans.

While the new date has copped criticism for clashing with Year 12 exams, it has already proven a hit with would-be travellers.

Katie Joyce from Rick Shores at Burleigh is happy with the expected boost for business from the looming long weekend. Picture: Glenn Hampson

Queensland travel interest on Wotif surged more than 1000 per cent in the hour after the announcement, compared to same time last week, as weary Brisbanites rushed to make holiday bookings for the new ‘spring break’ holiday weekend.

In the first day following the date’s revelation, the website recorded a jump of more than 3000 per cent.

The Gold Coast (up 5600 per cent), Sunshine Coast (up 3200 per cent) and Fraser Coast (2500 per cent) were the main movers, but more than a dozen destinations across the state recorded huge jumps in booking interest, underlining predictions the new long weekend would generate up to $130 million for the state’s battered tourism industry.

The data records all visits to the site, including those who browsed rather than booked, but Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said the surging demand should give operators cause for hope after what has been a gloomy few months.

“It’s fantastic to see Queenslanders are already looking to make the most of the newly created long weekend, as it did last year, and we hope it encourages even more Queenslanders to take some time out and enjoy all there is to love about Queensland,” he said.

“Destinations across Queensland have already seen a surge in interest, in what is hopefully a promising sign for operators.”

The huge increases are also indicative of the low level of holiday booking and search activity the previous week, but as the pandemic’s grip tightens on southern states, Queensland tourism operators will take any positives they can get.