The ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’ tourism industry has 25 millions reasons to be happy with the confirmation that travellers from Greater Sydney will be able to travel from 1 December.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen said TTNQ was pleased to have confirmation that visitors from the 34 communities of Greater Sydney would be able to start enjoying Summer in the Tropics in just one week.
“Visitors from New South Wales, primarily from Sydney, inject nearly $25 million a month into our region and today’s announcement, a full week in advance of the easing of the restrictions means travellers can book with confidence,” he said.
“TTNQ will be launching our Summer Great campaign in Sydney on 3-4 December with the support of Tourism and Events Queensland, our industry and our media partners.
“We are thrilled that after months of planning, not only can we launch our Summer campaign just days after the borders open, but that we can be there in person to invite Greater Sydney back to ‘Cairns & Great Barrier Reef’.
“With a decision also pending on easing of Victorian border restrictions the region could see a boost of $125 million in visitor spend over summer from New South Wales and Victorian travellers alone.
“This will support hundreds of jobs in our community when it is needed most.
“Now we just need confirmation that the reef operators and other tour operators can get back to 75 per cent COVID-safe carrying capacity to allow them to start their recovery.
“The first interstate flights in July were full of smiling holidaymakers arriving in paradise, with as many as 3500 visitors a week arriving from Sydney.
“It is important to realise, however, that the region is still missing more than $4 million a day in international visitor spend and most operators missed out on the normally strong domestic winter with hundreds of millions in lost revenue.
“We receive more than 225,000 visitors per annum from Sydney, spending nearly $300 million per annum, most of that comes during winter.
“It is vital the State Government provide an extension to the Business Support programs including waiving operator fees and charges and continuing the rent relief as we try to give operators some chance of surviving what will be a bumpy ride in 2021.
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