The majority of Queensland’s tourism destinations are still ready to welcome visitors, Tourism Queensland acting CEO Leanne Coddington said today.
Ms Coddington said while the floods currently affecting parts of Central Queensland, Western Downs and Outback Queensland had impacted visitor access to those regions, tourism operations in Brisbane, the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Fraser Coast, Whitsundays, Mackay, Townsville, Tropical North Queensland, Southern Downs and Toowoomba were functioning normally.
She said tourism businesses in Bundaberg, Gladstone, Agnes Water and 1770 were recovering from flood effects and most were now open and returning to normal business operation.
Heron Island, Mon Repos Turtle Experience, Bargara beaches, Lady Elliot Island and Lady Musgrave Island, were also open and ready to welcome visitors.
“Our thoughts are with those who have lost homes and livelihoods in this natural disaster,” Ms Coddington said.
“The impact will be felt for a long time to come, but as flood waters recede in some affected regions, tourism operations are returning to normal as quickly as possible.
“Tourism Queensland is currently working with industry partners, government and other stakeholders to help tourism operators in these regions get back on their feet once access has been restored and infrastructure and businesses return to normal operation.”
Ms Coddington said the majority of the state’s tourism operators remained unaffected and with more than 222,000 Queenslanders directly or indirectly employed in tourism throughout the state, taking a Queensland holiday would help protect their livelihoods.
“Queensland beaches and island resorts are open and most day tours and attractions are operating normally,” she said.
“Most of the state’s natural areas are also open and, with full waterholes and gushing waterfalls, are quite spectacular at the moment.”
Ms Coddington said although road and rail travel were currently restricted in some areas, with the exception of Rockhampton airport, air access into the state’s remaining 19 airports was currently operating normally.
“I would encourage anyone thinking of a Queensland holiday or concerned about an existing booking to check with their travel agent, accommodation or tour provider for latest local conditions before considering changing plans.
“There are some fantastic holiday options available and taking a Queensland holiday will help recovering businesses get back on their feet and help protect the livelihoods of those businesses that haven’t been affected by the floods.”
(Source: Tourism Queensland)
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