Cheap flights in $6m tourism Qld fightback after cyclone chaos

A multimillion-dollar tourism blitz will launch across the country this weekend to help claw back the disastrous impact of Cyclone Alfred on southeast Queensland.

Greenmount, Coolangatta and Burleigh beaches have reopened after Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: Nigel Hallett

A multimillion-dollar tourism blitz will launch across the country this weekend to help claw back the disastrous impact of Cyclone Alfred on southeast Queensland.

Hundreds of holiday deals and cheap flights will go on sale along with a concerted advertising and marketing push worth an estimated $6 million.

Tourism representatives across southeast Queensland estimate the sector stands to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in cancellations and lost earnings as a result of the cyclone, which wreaked havoc with major events, tourist attractions and iconic beaches alike.

With work already under way to restore beaches where huge swells carved giant sand cliffs into the dunes, tourism leaders are hopeful the looming Easter holiday period – traditionally a goldmine for the industry, can still be salvaged.

The clean-up after Alfred continues even as sunbakers return to the sand. Picture: Nigel Hallett

Those hopes have been given a boost with the launch of a three-pronged tourism counter-attack to be announced by the state government on Saturday morning.

Sale airfares will be rolled out in waves across different travel periods, including before and after the Easter long weekend, with Aussie travellers urged to look out for bargains for their next Queensland holiday.

Supported by the state government, the Brisbane Economic Development Agency, Experience Gold Coast and Visit Sunshine Coast, the push will also lead targeted campaigns to kickstart demand.

Queensland Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said the investment was “key to reinvigorating the industry”.

Significant erosion at Surfers Paradise beach in the wake of ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. Picture: NewsWire / Glenn Campbell

“We’re letting everyone know that Queenslanders are resilient, we’re open for business and we’re an incredible holiday destination,” he said.

“With strong airline partnerships, targeted marketing, and unbeatable holiday deals, we are making it easier than ever for people to choose Queensland for their next trip.”

Visit Sunshine Coast, the regional tourism organisation for the Sunshine Coast, Noosa and Gympie region, has estimated the impact of Tropical Cyclone Alfred on the tourism sector to hit more than $160 million.

Beaches along the Gold Coast were devastated by the force of ex-Tropical Cylone Alfred. Picture: Nigel Hallett

The figure is based on cancellation data from March, as well as forward bookings across Sunshine Coast’s tourism industry for April and May – highlighting the fallout which will likely be felt for months to come.

Visit Sunshine Coast CEO Matt Stoeckel said the cyclone had been a massive disruption for the destination’s tourism industry even if the region had been largely spared of physical damage.

“While there was no notable damage to our tourism businesses, tens of thousands of people still cancelled their holiday plans,” he said.

“Many tourism businesses have not had any customers for over a week, and I haven’t seen hotels this empty since the pandemic.

“People are worried about booking a trip to the coast when they needn’t be, and we have to get visitors flowing again to limit the loss to our industry.”

Evidence of Alfred’s fury remains at Burleigh. Picture: Nigel Hallett

On the Gold Coast, an impact survey estimates the cost of the cyclone at $42 million for the week with a 20 per cent drop in accommodation occupancy for the rest of March – a combination Experience Gold Coast CEO John Warn expects to create a $137 million black hole for the industry.

Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate, who has personally offered to buy any tourist a beer if the city’s beaches aren’t back to their full glory by the Easter school holidays, said the campaign would place the holiday sector front of mind for potential travellers in the weeks ahead.

“There is no doubt our city will bounce back, and our iconic beaches will return to their former glory, ready welcome the millions of holiday-makers who choose our destination each year,” he said.

Originally published as Cheap flights in $6m tourism Qld fightback after cyclone chaos