AusLeisure

Recent reporting by 60 Minutes and 9news.com.au on the closure and abandonment of more than half of the 30 hotels, resorts and bars throughout the Whitsundays has been criticised by Tourism Whitsundays as being “unbalanced”.

60 Minutes on Sunday night reported on ‘decaying’ islands off the coast of Queensland - highlighting the state of South Molle Island and Lindeman Island while an article published on 9news.com.au alongside the report said the Whitsundays were no longer a beacon of success for the Australian tourism industry given their state of disarray.

Tourism Whitsundays Chief Executive Natassia Wheeler has noted that the story aired by 60 Minutes with regard to the islands was “not a balanced look at island resorts on the Whitsunday Coast.

"While it could have been a sad, disheartening story the fact of the matter is, the Whitsundays have relished in the re-opening of some of the most iconic island resorts following major refurbishments and redevelopment.

“The story showed no regard for the people behind the industry and the thousands that work hard and invest to promote this magical part of the world."

Wheeler added that the 60 Minutes’ coverage was “crushing” given Tourism Whitsundays joint marketing activity to promote the return of the region, stating “with the promise of promoting the region, reminding people that the island resorts are up and running, the mainland and islands are full of amazing experiences for holiday makers to come and enjoy.” 

Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Andrew Wilcox also highlighted that the reporting missed an important point - the efforts to revitalise the region in the wake of Cyclone Debbie.

Reporter Charles Wooley looked at islands from the Whitsundays to the Cairns coast, some of which Cyclone Yasi destroyed in 2011 and Cyclone Debbie lashed in 2017.

Mayor Willcox added that the report had left out “glaring facts” about the region, including the reopening of Daydream Island and Hayman Island.

In April, Daydream Island officially re-opened following a $120 million-plus redevelopment. While in July, Hayman Island by InterContinental re-opened after a $135 million redevelopment.

Further investments in the region include a multi-million-dollar proposal by the owners of new resort Elysian Retreat on Long Island; a $500 million investment over 10 years by Hamilton Island Enterprises; and a proposal by Lindeman Island for three new resorts, 325 suites and villas for a total development cost of $583 million.

Willcox advised "our tourism industry deserves better and it is basically un-Australian for a media outlet to decide on an agenda that suits their storyline rather than present the true facts. The fact is that we now have seven resorts on islands open across the Whitsunday region most recently with Elysian Retreat, Daydream and Hayman island all welcoming guests.

“Our tourism industry offers outstanding product which is endorsed by our success in winning four national titles at the Australian Tourism Awards.”

The resorts that are currently open throughout the Whitsundays include:
•    Palm Bay Resort
•    Daydream Island Resort
•    InterContinental Hayman Island Resort
•    Hamiliton Island
•    Elysian Retreat
•    Camp Island Lodge, and
•    Whitsunday Apartments Hamilton Island.

Tourism Whitsundays lists some of the completed and in progress investment as:

• $500 million+ (over 10 years) Hamilton Island
• $135 million Hayman Island
• $120 million+ Daydream Island
• $40 million Whitsunday Coast Airport
• $6.3 million Airlie Beach Foreshore
• $500,000 Island Short Walks Infrastructure
• $2 million Hill Inlet upgrade and expansion
• $1 million Peter Faust Dam Tourism Infrastructure Development
• $1 million Flagstaff Hill Interpretive Center
• $900,000+ Reef Ecologic – Underwater sculptures (a Great Barrier Reef first)
• Multi million dollar Elysian Retreat
• Multi million dollar  Freedom Shores / Northerlies
• Multi million dollar Coral Sea Marina Resort.

Image shows abandoned facilities at South Molle Island in 2018

Related Articles

9th July 2019 - Abandoned Whitsundays resorts ‘left to rot’

3rd July 2019 - Transformed Hayman Island Resort opens after $135 million luxury refurbishment

2nd July 2019 - New foreshore redevelopment revealed at Airlie Beach

15th April 2019 - Daydream Island soft opening to boost Whitsunday tourism industry

16th August 2018 - Demolition of decaying Great Keppel Island resort completed

23rd April 2018 - No sign of reopening of cyclone-damaged Queensland island resort

20th April 2018 - Multi-million dollar refurbishment announced for Fitzroy Island Resort

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

10th April 2017 - Daydream Island’s $50 million redevelopment brought forward

7th June 2015 - Tired island resorts hurt the appeal of Great Barrier Reef tourism

---

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.