Holiday bookings surge

Tourism operators’ joy as families head for Coast

QUEENSLAND’S easing border restrictions have sparked a tourism boom with an extraordinary surge in holiday bookings.

Data from travel giants Wotif shows a 70 per cent spike in demand for Gold Coast holidays as well as bookings throughout Queensland since Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk made the call on Tuesday to reopen the borders to all states bar Victoria.

Industry insiders are also reporting sales surges of more than 60 per cent for some regions, stretching all the way to September.

School holiday tourists have been turned away from booked-out accommodation providers while ferry bookings for islands off the Queensland coast have also returned to levels not seen since the coronavirus crisis began.

It is another positive sign for tourism operators left reeling by the lengthy shutdowns.

Wotif data also shows a huge surge in bookings from July 10 onwards with Hervey

Bay one of several Queensland destinations recording a 1000 per cent increase in interest since Tuesday’s announcement.

Wotif managing director Daniel Finch said the surge in Queensland bookings and inquiries – particularly for families – was a positive sign for an industry left reeling by border closures and COVID-19 restrictions.

“Queensland has always been one of Australia’s strongest tourism destinations and we know there is a big job ahead to support the tourism industry, so it’s fantastic to see families are making the most of the school holidays and enjoying a much-deserved break in their own backyard,” he said.

Queensland Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the rush of holiday bookings was “a real shot in the arm” for the industry.

“We’re seeing Aussies lining up to return to Queensland in droves,” she said.

Clint Feuerherdt, chief executive of SeaLink Travel Group, which services Fraser,

Magnetic and North Stradbroke islands, launched booking platform www.brillianttravels.com.au last month to lure domestic travellers back to island destinations around Australia, and said tourism was vital for the recovery of the communities.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the early signs were positive towards a revival for operators.

“Queensland really has an opportunity now to come out of this situation and re-establish its reputation as Australia’s home of domestic holidays,” Mr Gschwind said.

“There are so many different and diverse destinations and with international travel off the table, we are hoping to see a lot more people head to Queensland instead.”

But he said recovery would not be easy for many.

“There are a lot of operators out there who rely largely on international tourism who are in a world of pain,” he said.

“We still have a lot of work to do because it’s not as easy as it sounds to simply turn your focus from international to domestic tourists.”