Golden egg antidote for industry’s troubles

IT’S the $1 billion Easter extravaganza set to resurrect the Queensland tourism industry.

As experts mull over industry-wide losses estimated in the hundreds of millions of dollars due to the spread of the coronavirus on the back of devastating bushfires and a summer ruined by torrential rain and floods, tourism operators are salivating at the prospect of a $1 billion bonanza over the Easter holidays.

The timing could not be better for operators bracing for the full impact of the China travel ban.

Easter falls two weeks before Anzac Day this year, but Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said it was still shaping as a godsend.

“Easter is always really big for regional travel and it’s certainly come at just the right time this year,” he said.

“The shorter break means people are really only going away for four or five days, which means there is a much bigger focus on domestic or regional travel.”

He said the windfall would be a welcome respite for many operators. “We’ve had big numbers in the red so now we need big numbers in the black. Easter really is Queensland’s time to shine.’’

Tourism and Events Queensland CEO Leanne Coddington said it was an important time for the industry.

“The Easter holidays are vital to Queensland’s tourism industry, especially for domestic visitation, with thousands of Australians taking the opportunity to experience the very best of our state.”