AusLeisure

Aiming to reboot Far North Queensland tourism in the wake of the recent cyclone and flooding weather events, the Queensland Government hopes to attract tourists back to the state’s north with discounted flights and accommodation.

Queensland tourism operators were significantly impacted by the severe weather and cancellations during a time of the year which is usually their most lucrative.

In a $5 million funding agreement between the state and federal government, Qantas and Jetstar are offering discount one-way flights to Cairns from "most parts of Australia" until the end of March.

The state government said discounted accommodation packages would also be made available in coming weeks.

Tourism and Events Queensland Chief Executive Patricia O'Callaghan noted the scheme was "exactly what our operators need" adding "these are really strong price points which will encourage Australians to jump on a plane a take a holiday in Far North Queensland.”

QLD Premier Steven Miles shared "we really need to get the message out to Australia and the world that Cairns and Far North Queensland is open for business.

"Here in Cairns, you wouldn’t really know the cyclone had hit."

The Premier hopes discounted flights and accommodation offers would help businesses recoup lost costs, after footage of the December floods went "viral" resulting in millions of dollars worth of cancellations.

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief EXecutive Mark Olsen advised “The Tropical North Queensland tourism industry has been hit hard by holiday cancellations since early December, losing close to $300 million in bookings.

“This initiative will give the region a real shot in the arm as we need visitors now more than ever having missed out on what is traditionally a peak time for visitors over the Christmas and New Year period.

“It is ideal to visit at this time of year as summer brings outstanding visibility to the Great Barrier Reef and our rainforest tours are showcasing waterfalls at their best.

“While the iconic Great Barrier Reef Drive is under repair you can take a return trip from Cairns to Port Douglas by boat for just $50 and see the stunning mountains covered in Wet Tropics rainforest from the Coral Sea.”

Qantas Chief Customer Officer Catriona Larritt added “Tropical North Queensland communities and businesses have faced incredibly challenging circumstances during this holiday period, when tourism operators are usually at their busiest.

“These special airfares will help boost the region’s recovery and rally Australians to visit North Queensland in the coming weeks and months.

“These heavily discounted fares offer great value for money, with customers able to lock in a last-minute getaway before the summer school holidays end.”

Image. Cairns Esplanade

Related Articles

3rd January 2024 - Gold Coast theme parks reopen again after severe weather events

3rd January 2024 - Wild weather events impact Queensland tourism

1st January 2024 - Disaster Relief Australia to aid Queensland storm clean-up

1st January 2024 - Severe weather closes Gold Coast attractions, aquatic centres and sports hubs

24th December 2023 - Recovery package available for tourism industry operators in Cairns and wider region  

18th December 2023 - Tourism industry focusses on community and visitor safety during extreme weather across far north Queensland

15th December 2023 - Cairns Convention Centre comes through Cyclone Jasper undamaged

8th June 2022 - Far North Queensland’s CaPTA Group celebrates excellence at annual awards

18th January 2022 - Disaster funding now available for Queensland sport and recreation clubs impacted by cyclone

21st February 2021 - Far North Queensland loses $2.2 billion of visitor spending

30th December 2019 - Call for cyclone-rated lighting installation at Townsville’s Riverway Stadium

22nd October 2019 - Man dies and woman injured after 10-metre fall from Far North Queensland zip line

21st May 2019 - Mackay’s historic Queens Park to be revitalised after impact of cyclone Debbie

18th March 2019 - Cairns tourism industry leaders call for changes to marketing of Far North Queensland

27th September 2017 - Visitors return to the Whitsundays after Cyclone Debbie

12th April 2017 - $12 million prioritised for Tropical Cyclone Debbie affected sports clubs

2nd April 2017 - Tourism industry to rebuild after Cyclone Debbie

---

Support our industry news service
We hope that you value the news that we publish so while you're here can we ask for your support?

As an independent publisher, we need reader support for our industry news gathering so ask that - if you don't already do so - you back us by subscribing to the printed Australasian Leisure Management magazine and/or our online news.