Outstanding holiday deals, once-in-lifetime prizes, cheap airfares and $1 breakfasts are part of a tourism campaign to entice holidaymakers back to Queensland.
Premier Anastacia Palaszczuk said on Wednesday the Sunshine State was ‘ready to welcome back visitors and so many families and friends who are ready to reconnect on a Queensland holiday’.
The $5.2 million tourism blitz is the state’s first in 18 months. Queensland relies heavily on tourism dollars with about $12.7 billion generated in 2018-19.
Ms Palaszczuk saying rebuilding the tourism industry was an important part of the government’s Covid-19 Economic Recovery Plan.
The premier said she knew first-hand how tourism business have been affected by restrictions over the last two years.
Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced the tourism push on Wednesday from Bundaberg (pictured) on the southern edge of the Great Barrier Reef
Tourism contributed more than $12 billion to Queensland’s economy in 2018-19 (pictured: Agincourt Reef in far north Queensland)
‘We’re launching a series of campaigns worth $5.2 million around the country and taking the first steps towards international marketing,’ she said.
Speaking on Wednesday from Bundaberg on the Great Barrier Reef, Ms Palaszczuk said two campaigns would be launched.
A ‘Days like This’ campaign which has already started and will be pushed more interstate in to Sydney and Melbourne.
Then the ‘Great Queensland Getaway’ campaign launches on Sunday with huge discounts on holidays packages and airfares.
‘Virgin Australia is launching sales on fares from all major interstate airports into Queensland and Accor has special accommodation rates from $119 per night,’ she said.
‘From $1 breakfast on the Fraser Coast, to wine and dine packages on the Gold Coast and Sunshine coast kayaking deals, there really is a visitor experience to suit every Australian.
Queensland opened its border to interstate travellers with no restrictions in late January (pictured: Brisbane on January 10)
‘And to keep Queensland getaways under the nation’s spotlight, we’re giving Australians the chance to win once-in-a-lifetime holiday prizes.
‘These holiday offers go live from this weekend to help Queensland operators secure booking until June 2022.’
With the Australian border opening by March, there will also be a push into international markets, notably the UK and Singapore, with a ‘Good to Go’ campaign.
Tourism minister said the campaigns were expected to generate $4 billion in revenue for the state form increased tourism.
Tourism and Events Queensland chief executive Leanne Coddington said it was exciting to be returning to national and international marketing.
The holiday deals will include cheap flights and hotel deals at many Queensland locations (pictured: a holidaymaker on a north Queensland beach)
‘We know as people emerge from this latest outbreak they want to feel good – and to do so they will value safety, simplicity and memorable moments with friends, family and the natural environment,’ she said.
‘These campaigns give them the inspiration to do that in Queensland, as competition from other destinations begins to ramp up.
‘We’ll showcase our adventure experiences, our incredible natural experiences, the opportunities to connect with our Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture.’
She expected the program would be worth an estimated $500 million to the state’s economy in 2022.
‘At the same time our efforts are beginning to ramp up internationally, which is an exciting step forward in rebuilding such an important market for Queensland,’ she said.
The holiday deals will be available from February 13.
