Where else but Queensland? Most would prefer overseas once travel resumes
Queensland will have to overcome a national “reluctance to travel” domestically before it can begin to recoup almost $10 billion in lost tourism earnings caused by the coronavirus outbreak.
According to surveys done by Queensland Tourism and Events Corporation, 60 per cent of Australians will wait until they can travel overseas rather than travel domestically.
QTEC chief executive Leanne Coddington said the industry would have to be willing to put something āvery specialā in front of those people to get them to Queensland. About $56 billion is spent each year by Australians travelling overseas.
āThey are not going to make it easy for us,ā Coddington said.
The survey also found that 61 per cent said it would be more than 12 months before they were likely to travel.
āAbout two-thirds of Australians are dreaming about or planning their leisure travel,ā Coddington said.
āAustralians love to travel and Australians are starting to turn their minds to that. We know that Sydney-siders and Melbournites are still thinking and dreaming. Brisbane-ites are a bit ahead of that, we are planning.
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āDay trips are the things people are looking at.ā
But there is also a push from within the industry, sparked by Tangaloomaās Bernie OāKeefe, to change the Ekka public holiday on August 12 to the following Friday to allow for a long weekend when some travel restrictions will be lifted.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said it was a good idea and the idea has been put to the Government previously by some councils.
āWe have been missing a lot of long-weekend and school-holiday opportunities left, right and centre. It makes sense,ā he said.
There may be logistical problems to be sorted out, but the holiday would follow the lifting of some travel restrictions.
He played down the negative survey results which he said were heavily influenced by the bad news in the media.
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āWhen there is some good news happening Iām sure the people with financial confidence will start travelling again,ā he said.
It came as Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said it may be September before Queenslandās borders were reopened.
āI have to take the advice of the chief health officer,ā she told ABC.
āThings may look more positive towards the end of September. Itās about the community transmission.ā
She said a travel bubble between Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia could work, but it would need the approval of the other states as well.
The Chief Health Officer Dr Jeannette Young said there was some uncertainty around the stage three restrictions, but tourism businesses had to be ready to jump when they were eased.
āQueensland is in a great position. We can start opening up,ā Young said.
āWhen we can open our international borders we will be seen as a great place to come, a safe place to come.
āThe really big date is June 12 (stage two) for tourism experiences. Thatās the time for all of you to have plans in place to let rip.
āThe (next) date you are really looking towards is July 10 (stage three). Itās a little bit uncertain because it will depend on the previous stages go and which parts we can focus on.
She said it was unlikely Queensland would not move to stage two, which would allow travel up to 250km and the reopening of camping and accommodation. Stage three will reopen cafes, theme parks, pubs and clubs.
Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the stage four restrictions and beyond would depend on health advice.
She said the Government was also looking at further measures to support the sector.
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