Bargains waiting in
Boost for tourism in 2021
FAR North Queenslanders will have the chance to pick up travel deals for a bargain as companies begin to put together 2021 early bird packages.
After being affected by travel restrictions due to the coronavirus pandemic, Smithfield resident and travel agent Ida Portella is looking to the future.
Currently planning new holidays for 2021, Ms Portella said she had to change the way she did business.
“Our industry has been through a lot, never this bad though,” she said.
“But I think it’s short term. I love the positivity of people starting to plan for next year.
“I’m coming into my peak, May to September is when a lot of people travel particularly with Europe, Canada and Alaska. This is a really busy time.
“A lot of people have also had to cancel their wedding this year and I’ve had a couple of inquiries from honeymooners that are wanting to go away.”
Ms Portella encouraged Far Northern residents to use this time to save for their dream holiday and keep an eye out for upcoming travel deals.
“It will take a little bit of time for the industry to come back … but I think the Australian market will boom because people will be supporting local tourism,” she said.
“In May-June a lot of companies bring out their early bird specials for the following year. At the moment people aren’t spending much money and the Federal Government is offering $1500 a fortnight for people that were stood down; that’s pretty good.
“There are opportunities for people, even if they put away a little bit for a break.
“I think it also gives people something to look forward to.”
Closer to home, work is being done to help bring tourists back to Queensland and the Far North region following the coronavirus pandemic.
Tourism and Events Queensland board member Karen Hanna Miller said the present challenges facing the tourism and events industry were like nothing experienced before.
“This crisis hasn’t left any stone unturned within our industry,” she said.
“Our events industry has been hard hit, inherently linked into the Queensland tourism landscape. Events provide a great incentive for visitors to experience the state.
“Over the past few weeks organisers have had to make tough decisions on cancelling or postponing their 2020 events.
“The value of events to Queensland’s major cities and regional communities should never be understated. TEQ’s events team is working with proponents to ensure that post COVID-19 Queensland emerges with a thriving events calendar.”
… BUT I THINK THE AUSTRALIAN MARKET WILL BOOM (IN 2021) BECAUSE PEOPLE WILL BE SUPPORTING LOCAL TOURISM