Queensland tracking for sensational school holidays for tourism operators
Queensland’s tourism industry is set for its second bumper holiday period in two months as huge crowds prepare to travel across the state.
QLD News
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Queensland’s winter wonderland is firing up the state’s tourism revival.
Airports around the state are expecting to be swamped with travellers across the weekend as the school holidays kick off a tourism gold rush worth an estimated $2 billion to the state economy.
While southern states shiver through wicked weather, most of Queensland is basking in spectacular winter sunshine for the holiday hordes.
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Easter is often considered a more lucrative market for the Queensland tourism industry, but the next fortnight is expected to challenge those heady heights with soaring bookings across the state.
Easter was the best holiday period since the start of the coronavirus pandemic and the next fortnight is on track to threaten those numbers, with Brisbane Airport’s domestic terminal expecting about 55,000 passengers per day over the first few days of the holidays – 95 per cent of the numbers recorded pre-Covid.
Gold Coast Airport is also tracking for big numbers in line with the Easter holidays, which saw an April record for domestic passenger movements.
Cairns Airport was also headed for huge numbers over the next few days, equalling or even surpassing passenger numbers from Easter in a sign the tourism industry has burst free of the shackles of the pandemic.
Airports are warning travellers to arrive an extra hour early to negotiate the crowded check-in and security queues.
Queensland tourism revival continues as southerners flock to the Sunshine State
Winter is peak season for the state’s far north and the outback, with the sting of the summer sun making way for balmy days and cool nights, while the Granite Belt is also swamped with bookings from Queenslanders looking to rug up by roaring fires with award-winning wines.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Brett Fraser said operators throughout the state were looking forward to a bumper visitor season, with intrastate travel levels not seen since before the pandemic.
“Not only are we seeing more Queenslanders holidaying in own their backyard, but we’re expecting an influx of holiday-makers from other states,” he said.
“Just a few months ago, Queensland operators enjoyed their best Easter period in three years. “We’re optimistic that this holiday season will produce similar benefits for our tourism sector.
“The winter period has typically proven a big success for our Sunshine State as southern domestic visitors make the trip across the border to enjoy the warmer weather.
“We’re already hearing reports that occupancy rates are high, with some accommodation providers closing on capacity.
“This is a fantastic sign and signals the first green shoots of our tourism industry’s recovery.”
Theme parks are also ready for massive crowds, with special holiday promotions to entertain visitors.
At Dreamworld, the Gold Coast park has transformed into a winter playground until July 17.
Now in its third year, Winterfest features ice skating and tobogganing with the park’s exhibition centre transformed into a full-scale ice rink.
New to the line-up this year is Belinda’s Arctic Adventure; a winter-themed kids’ maze, while tasty treats inspired by the northern hemisphere winter are on sale.
Dreamworld CEO Greg Yong said the park was anticipating a rush of visitors over the break.
“We’re excited to welcome both our locals and our interstate guests for another bumper holiday period in one of Australia’s most popular tourist destinations,” he said.
Movie World’s Hooray for Hollywood will see a who’s who of silver screen stars entertain guests throughout the theme park, while Aussie World on the Sunshine Coast will unveil its brand new rollercoaster, the Dingo Racer.
HOT HOLIDAY DEALS
(from Wotif)
GOLD COAST
Coco Broadbeach: 10 per cent off with Wotif mates rates
BRISBANE
The Inchcolm by Ovolo: 30 per cent off with Wotif mates rates
SUNSHINE COAST
Oaks Sunshine Coast Resort: 10 per cent off with Wotif mates rates
FRASER ISLAND/K’GARI
Kingfisher Bay Resort: 10 per cent off with Wotif mates rates
PORT MACQUARIE
Sails Port Macquarie: 15 per cent off
LAUNCESTON
Country Club Villas: Up to 20 per cent off with Wotif mates rates
YARRA VALLEY
Yarra Valley Lodge: Up to 10 per cent off
HOT NEW ATTRACTIONS
* Langham Gold Coast: Brand-new world-class resort with lapping waves at its doorstep. The hotel offers an executive ocean suite and nine other room options, a swim-up pool bar overlooking the famous Gold Coast beaches.
* Pride of the Murray: The classic Murray River paddle steamer has been relocated to Longreach, where a sunset float on the mighty Thomson River is a must-do experience.
* Torres Strait day trip: Visit this far-flung corner of Queensland in a new daytrip package with flights out of Cairns.
* Yarriba Dreaming: A three-day Aboriginal immersion tour of Mount Barney Lodge in the Scenic Rim, a destination recently crowned by Lonely Planet as one of the Top 10 Regions in the World to Visit in 2022.
* Kingfisher Bay Resort: the iconic eco-tourism operation has undergone a major overhaul including refurbished hotel and King accommodation, full renovations to Sand & Wood Restaurant (formerly the Maheno Restaurant) and a new rainforest bar.
* Australian Cycle Tours: Three new cycle experiences in the Townsville and Brisbane regions. Each tour is between four and eight days and includes additional opportunities to explore the destination by snorkelling, cruising and scenic bushwalks.
* Salt Air Aviation: New scenic experiences to explore the Sunshine Coast from above. There are eight new itineraries to choose from, ranging from 10-minute flights over Noosa up to a three-day, two-night air tour of the Southern Burnett Wine region.
Originally published as Queensland tracking for sensational school holidays for tourism operators
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