If you want to help Queensland, don’t go to Bali
Most of Queensland is open for business but tourism operators are facing a huge perception problem following recent floods and cyclones in the state.
Federal tourism minster Martin Ferguson says the biggest challenge facing tourism operators is letting people know most of the state is open for business after recent floods in southern and central Queensland, and Cyclone Yasi in the north.
He said the Gold and Sunshine coasts, Brisbane, the Whitsundays, and tropical north Queensland were open for business, and all efforts were focussed on getting that message out.
Among those back in business, the Cairns Convention Centre said all Cairns business events infrastructure is fully operational following Cyclone Yasi .
And Club Med Lindeman Island, which sustained no damage during the cyclone, has fully re-opened.
The federal and Queensland governments have each committed $5 million to help tourism marketing.
Australians who want to help the victims of both disasters could do that by heading to Queensland to holiday, the minister told AAP.
"If you want to help Queensland … don’t go to Bali," Ferguson said.
A new $350,000 marketing campaign for the Whitsundays aimed at Sydneysiders and Melburnians will include high-impact posters in more than 500 outdoor locations in southern states and online advertising.
Special accommodation deals and airfares will be offered as part of the campaign.
Details at www.thewhitsundays.com.au
Footnote: Choice Hotels Australasia is donating $14,281 to the Queensland Premier’s Flood Relief Fund.
The fundraising effort was kicked off by Choice Hotels franchisees Janine McBride and James Shone, who operate Comfort Inn on Raglan at Warrnambool in Victoria’s Western District, and was supported by other franchisees and head office.
Ian Jarrett
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