Airlie Rallies Round Victims of Failed Romance
In the true spirit of Valentine’s Day, the Airlie Beach community has rallied around the passengers winched by helicopter from the deck of the schooner Romance shipwrecked off Hook Island early yesterday.
The treacherous circumstances of the evacuation meant that many of the group of international Backpackers arrived back to the mainland without passports, phones, credit cards or money.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Peter O’Reilly said that most were fortunate enough to have prepaid accommodation for the first night back and that the local community would ensure that all of the group were looked after.
“The community is dismayed that these visitors have had to endure such an awful experience that unfortunately didn’t finish the moment they were rescued.”
“International backpackers are the vibrant heart of Airlie and we’d like to see this group receive the care and attention we’d want for our own children in similar circumstances, ” he said
Offers of free and discounted accommodation have flowed from the region’s backpacker hostel and apartment sectors, and free meals are being provided by Airlie restaurants, catering companies and hostels.
“Local retailers, the PCYC, tour desks, even the local chemist has come to the party.”
The State Government through the Department of Communities is providing emergency funding and counseling services to counter post traumatic stress among the passengers.
The Whitsunday Charter Boat Industry Association is providing local transport and emergencies funding for items such as toiletries and clothing. Its members have offered free trips to all of the Romance passengers in the hope that they will gain some better memories of the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.
“I must commend the generosity of the Charter Boat Association for the care and concern they’re showing to passengers of a boat that is not one of their members, ” Mr O’Reilly said.
“We can only hope that the good will of the Airlie community raises their spirits enough to enjoy romance of an entirely different kind on Valentines Day.”
A Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
Vegas’s Billion-Dollar Secrets – What They Don’t Want Tourists to Know
Visit Florida’s New CEO Bryan Griffin Shares His Vision for State Tourism with Graham
Chicago’s Tourism Renaissance: Graham Interviews Kristin Reynolds of Choose Chicago
Graham Talks with Cassandra McCauley of MMGY NextFactor About the Latest Industry Research
Destination International’s Andreas Weissenborn: Research, Advocacy, and Destination Impact
Graham and Don Welsh Discuss the Success of Destinations International’s Annual Conference
Graham and CEO Andre Kiwitz on Ventura Travel’s UK Move and Recruitment for the Role
Brett Laiken and Graham Discuss Florida’s Tourism Momentum and Global Appeal
Graham and Elliot Ferguson on Positioning DC as a Cultural and Inclusive Global Destination
Graham Talks to Fraser Last About His England-to-Ireland Trek for Mental Health Awareness
Kathy Nelson Tells Graham About the Honour of Hosting the World Cup and Kansas City’s Future
Graham McKenzie on Sir Richie Richardson’s Dual Passion for Golf and His Homeland, Antigua
ADS PRO 
Phocuswright reveals the world's largest travel markets in volume in 2025
Cyclone in Sri Lanka had limited effect on tourism in contrary to media reports
Higher departure tax and visa cost, e-arrival card: Japan unleashes the fiscal weapon against tourists
In Italy, the Meloni government congratulates itself for its tourism achievements
Singapore to forbid entry to undesirable travelers with new no-boarding directive