NQ recovery action plan to bring tourists back in wake of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily

Townsville Enterprise has called for recovery assistance to enact plans to boost tourism in the region after Cyclone Kirrily put an $18M dent in local business.

A North Queensland recovery action plan has been announced after Townsville businesses are left reeling from $18m in financial losses in the wake of Cyclone Kirrily.

The severe weather has frightened off visitors over a long weekend that should have brought in plenty of tourists in for businesses across Townsville and Magnetic Island.

Clare Ley from the cruise and private charter company Pilgrim Magnetic Island said incentives and vouchers for visitors would be extremely helpful to bring back business.

Premier Steven Miles after chairing a Queensland Disaster Management Committee meeting about Tropical Cyclone Kirrily affecting North Queensland, Kedron, on Friday 26th January 2024 – Photo Steve Pohlner

“The financial loss between Cyclone Jasper and Cyclone Kirrily is huge, but the worst part is the forward bookings for the next month are dire – at 3 per cent of what we saw last year,” said Ms Ley.

“This industry needs some support urgently to bring back visitors. We would love to see an announcement on a holiday voucher program, flight incentives and some marketing to tell the world we are open for business.”

Peppers Blue on Blue will be working hard to reopen and rebuild their visitor numbers after Cyclone Kirrily

Over the weekend Townsville Enterprise, alongside local tourism business owners, met with Queensland Premier Steven Miles and the Federal Minister for Agriculture and Emergency Management, Murray Watt, to discuss recovery assistance.

Townsville Enterprise CEO, Claudia Brumme Smith said the financial impact from Cyclone Jasper and Cyclone Kirrily has put immense financial strain on businesses.

“Between the sentiment and perception challenges of Cyclone Jasper, and now the impacts of lost business, cancellations, and next to no forward bookings following Cyclone Kirrily, the industry has endured a tough six weeks,” said Ms Brumme-Smith.

“We estimate that to date the financial impact to the local tourism industry exceeds $18m.”

An audit conducted by Townsville Enterprise found that across the 600 rooms available on Magnetic Island on Saturday night only seven guests were present.

Pilgrim Magnetic Island is looking forward to the incentives from the tourism action plan to spread the word about their business.

The general manager of Peppers Blue on Blue, a magnetic island resort, said long weekends and public holidays are vital in securing business through the quiet February to March period.

“We are looking forward to reopening for business, but this region will need to work hard to rebuild our visitor numbers following a challenging 6-week period,” Patrick Grant said.

The Recovery Action Plan will include, if funded,  a $500,000 voucher scheme providing a 50 per cent discount to North Queensland locals and in-region emergency services to book discounted tours or attractions in Townsville.

A 50 per cent wage boost will also be available to tourism and accommodation operators to assist with upskilling staff who have enrolled in a certificate three or certificate four TAFE course.

To boost visitors, flight incentives from Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne, Adelaide, Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast and Toowoomba will be available through flight sales or travel vouchers.

Originally published as NQ recovery action plan to bring tourists back in wake of Tropical Cyclone Kirrily