Annastacia Palaszczuk waives whale-watching fees for Qld companies
More Queenslanders are expected to visit the state’s north after Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk slashed commercial fees for whale-watching companies.
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Hard-hit tourism operators were “front and centre” of Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery plan, the Premier announced at the state’s world-class whale-watching spot today.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, who was in Hervey Bay north of Brisbane on Thursday, will waive the annual commercial whale-watching fee as part of a support package for operators affected by the pandemic.
It’s part of the $6 billion Unite and Recover for Queensland Jobs plan that includes a domestic marketing campaign. More than $80 million has been committed to the tourism industry to help keep businesses running and employees in jobs.
“We know that every little bit helps to keep businesses running and to keep Queenslanders in jobs, so we’re waiving the annual commercial whale-watching fee of $6045 for local operators for the 2020 season,” she said.
“That means the 18 operators across the state will save $110,000.
“I encourage Queenslanders to make sure you include a whale-watching experience on their next holiday.”
Ms Palaszczuk said Hervey Bay was one of the world’s best destinations to go whale watching and the first World Whale Heritage Site, a nod to the region’s commitment to conservation and protection.
July to November is the peak season for whale migration as humpbacks and their newborn calves travel along the Queensland coast on their annual 6000 kilometre migration to and from the Antarctic.
“Last year more than 83,000 tourists enjoyed a commercial whale-watching trip to see the humpback migration, so it’s an important tourism driver for our state,” Ms
“When you back our tourism industry, you back jobs.”
Originally published as Annastacia Palaszczuk waives whale-watching fees for Qld companies