Inbound tourism numbers eclipse pre-Covid figures

Cairns is bustling with visitors enjoying a winter break which has beaten pre-Covid levels. FIND OUT WHY

CAIRNS Airport is busier than it ever was before Covid.

Cairns Airport chief executive officer Richard Barker said domestic passenger numbers for the week starting on June 20 were 91,457. For June 27 that figure swelled to 94,201.

Mr Barker said this eclipsed pre-pandemic numbers, which were 90,452 at the same time in 2019.

“During the pandemic, Cairns Airport worked with the airlines to add 500,000 new seats of capacity into Cairns per annum – more planes from more places have enabled more visitors,” Mr Barker said.

Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker says a staggered school holiday period across three states had extended a vibrant winter tourism period for the Far North. Picture: Brendan Radke

He said there was strong demand from domestic travellers and staggered school holidays across three states had extended the travel period.

“This increased visitor growth also highlights the vibrancy of the Far North and our popularity as a domestic holiday destination, particularly during winter when the southern states are feeling the chill,” Mr Barker said.

“People who may have otherwise gone overseas at this time of year are coming to Far North Queensland.”

Originally published as Inbound tourism numbers eclipse pre-Covid figures