Queenslanders to rescue Intrastate visitors could offer economic lifeline
THE state’s peak business group has called for COVID-19 restrictions in Queensland to be eased by allowing statebased travel to support the tourism industry.
It comes as the Chamber of Commerce and Industry Queensland released figures showing most of our domestic tourists are Queenslanders, including for Townsville, where 82.1 per cent of travellers come from within the state.
Other locations and figures were: Brisbane 56.4 per cent, Gold Coast 48.2 per cent, Sunshine Coast 72.4 per cent, Far North Queensland 67.7 per cent, Wide Bay 87.3 per cent, South West Queensland 79.9 per cent, Mackay 87.3 per cent, Fraser Coast 75.5 per cent and Whitsunday 63.4 per cent.
CCIQ general manager of advocacy and policy Amanda Rohan said there was an opportunity for the State Government to save struggling businesses and start resuscitating the economy by bringing forward the state-based travel date from phase three to phase two. Under the current Roadmap to Recovery, state-based travel is to be permitted from July 10, while phase two, allowing travel of up to 250km, is due to start on June 12.
“The percentage of intrastate travellers confirms we can provide a lifeline to our own state. Queenslanders love to travel and visit places within the state, let’s give the economy the chance to start recovering now,” Ms Rohan said.
Townsville Enterprise CEO Patricia O’callaghan said it was great to see CCIQ following its strong stance on lifting the travel restrictions.
“The sooner travel restrictions are lifted across the state, the sooner businesses in regional areas like North Queensland can genuinely kickstart their economic recovery,” Ms O’callaghan said.
“That’s why we have been urging the Queensland Government to make modifications to their current road map.”
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk yesterday continued to resist calls to reopen the border with NSW but has signalled the possibility that the Outback Queensland bubble, allowing travel of up to 500km, could be extended to include North Queensland.