Queensland Tourism chiefs call for more positive weather reports
The Queensland Tourism Industry Council is calling out meteorologists for being too downcast and is calling for a more positive spin on daily weather forecasts.
The Council wants the Bureau of Meteorology to be more upbeat and replace forecasts like ‘partly cloudy’ with ‘mostly sunny’ or ‘chance of rain’ with ‘likely sunny.’
“Weather messaging has a significant impact on weekend, spontaneous and day-trip travel plans,” said QTIC chief executive Daniel Gschwind.
“We prefer the ‘glass half full’ option when it comes to weather reporting – for example, ‘mainly sunny’ is more encouraging to domestic travellers than ‘chance of rain’.”
Due to high temperatures and long dry spells, Gschwind said rain showers are a good thing and should be portrayed as such.
“Rain in Queensland doesn’t have the same implications as the northern hemisphere. I don’t think it should be framed in a bad way. It could even be described as a ‘cooling down shower’ or something.”
University of Queensland tourism expert Dr Pierre Benckendorff said the actual wording used in forecasts can make a big difference.
“We certainly see a downturn in occupancy at hotels and visitation at attrac~tions when the weather forecast is less favourable. ‘Partly cloudy’ or ‘overcast’ does not tell tourists a lot,” he said.
“More positive language that would still inform other industries without spooking tourists would certainly help. Unfavourable forecasts certainly impact on day trippers, possibly impact on short-stay visits but are unlikely to impact on long-haul visitors from interstate or overseas.”
TravelMole Editorial Team
Editor for TravelMole North America and Asia pacific regions. Ray is a highly experienced (15+ years) skilled journalist and editor predominantly in travel, hospitality and lifestyle working with a huge number of major market-leading brands. He has also cover in-depth news, interviews and features in general business, finance, tech and geopolitical issues for a select few major news outlets and publishers.
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 
France prepares for a massive strike across all transports on September 18
Turkish tourism stalls due to soaring prices for accommodation and food
CCS Insight: eSIMs ready to take the travel world by storm
Germany new European Entry/Exit System limited to a single airport on October 12, 2025
Airlines suspend Madagascar services following unrest and army revolt