Great deals on holidays
QUEENSLAND’S ailing tourism industry will receive a multimillion-dollar boost set to send hordes of holidaymakers across the state this summer.
While frustration continues at the uncertainty surrounding when Queensland will reopen borders, the state government will on Thursday announce an $8m tourism campaign offering heavily discounted flights, hotels and other travel experiences in a fresh bid to ignite the industry’s recovery from the coronavirus pandemic.
The campaign will take the state government’s tourism spending during the pandemic past the $1bn mark following a series of initiatives including “Holiday Dollars” promotions, subsidies or grants for struggling businesses and partnerships with the federal government.
It is hoped the campaign will generate up to $80m in economic spending for the tourism industry.
The Great Queensland Getaway will launch on Monday with bookings valid from then until December 12 for airfares and January 23 for other experiences.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said now was the time to book a Queensland holiday as attention finally turned to life beyond the pandemic.
“I’ve seen first-hand the significant impact the pandemic has had on tourism businesses right throughout the state,” she said.
“We’re working hard to find new ways to support tourism businesses to make it through these challenging times.
“This campaign will entice thousands of Queenslanders to get out and explore their own state.
“There’s never been a better excuse to book a Queensland holiday.”
Currumbin Wildlife Sanctuary on the Gold Coast is one of the hundreds of operators involved in the campaign and Scott Kirk, the park’s head of marketing and sales, said it was a “fantastic” opportunity to encourage more visitors.
“This is great timing for us as we have just launched our new ‘Grazy Arvo with Koalas’ experience where guests can enjoy an admission and an afternoon grazing platter while sitting in the serenity of our koala habitat area,” he said.
Virgin airline, Greyhound buses, Accor hotels and hundreds of other tourism businesses are involved in the campaign.
It differs from previous Holiday Dollars promotions with applicants required to enter a promotional code when they make a booking, rather than accessing a voucher which may not ever be used.
It is also open to attractions, experiences and travel providers across the state, rather than previous campaigns which were targeted to specific regions.
The campaign will run for two weeks unless the thousands of deals are sold out sooner.