NORTHERN EXPOSURE
CONTIKI LAUNCHES FIRST TOUR SINCE COVID-19
A YOUTH travel giant will get back on the bus in North Queensland, launching its first trip since COVID-19 ground it to a worldwide halt.
Contiki, a pioneer in youth travel since 1962 which has put on tours around the world, was forced to shut its trips down in April but will relaunch global travel tours in North Queensland on November 14.
It has been almost 20 years since Contiki offered Magnetic Island as a destination.
While border closures remain a sticking point for some from Victoria and hotspots in NSW, Contiki is taking a punt on the local market.
THEY (YOUNG PEOPLE) PLAY SUCH AN ESSENTIAL ROLE IN TOURISM STARTING AGAIN, WHICH IS WHY WE’RE SO EXCITED TO GET OUR TRAVELLERS BACK ON THE ROAD...
A YOUTH travel giant will get back on the bus in North Queensland, launching its first trip since COVID-19 ground it to a worldwide halt.
Contiki, a pioneer in youth travel since 1962 which has put on tours around the world, was forced to shut its trips down in April but will relaunch global travel tours in North Queensland on November 14.
It has been almost 20 years since Contiki offered Magnetic Island as a destination.
While border closures remain a sticking point for some from Victoria and hot spots in New South Wales, Contiki is taking a punt on the local market.
The island hopping adventure of the Great Barrier Reef will run for nine days in Airlie Beach, Whitsundays, Magnetic Island, Cairns and Townsville.
Contiki managing director Katrina Barry said with the huge changes everyone had made because of coronavirus, this was a chance for young travellers to get out and about again.
“With the day-to-day monotony of lockdown and social distancing, it’s been a tough trot for Millennials and Gen Z – they should be out there living their best life,” Ms Barry said.
“They play such an essential role in tourism starting again, which is why we’re so excited to get our travellers back on the road, travelling together again.”
Ms Barry said it was encouraging to see North Queenslanders exploring their own backyard.
“Our domestic trips have evolved and are designed with the conscious traveller in mind – the perfect opportunity to make travel matter with Contiki Cares to support local businesses and communities deeply affected by COVID-19.”
The North Queensland Adventure will be a sun-soaked, island-hopping escapade with sailing in the Whitsundays on a converted racing yacht, meeting koalas at Magnetic Island and getting up close to the Great Barrier Reef in Cairns.
Townsville Enterprise economy director Lisa Woolfe said this was great news for the region.
“It’s really positive that Contiki has pivoted towards the domestic market as this works ideally for our Magnetic
KATRINA BARRY, CONTIKI
Island operators who are traditionally more internationally dependent,” Ms Woolfe said.
“Welcoming Contiki back into the region holds us in good stead as we continue to move into recovery.”
Seats are still available on the North Queensland tour.