QUEENSLAND’S tourism operators are expected to generate up to $2 billion by the end of the month, thanks to a hat-trick of long weekends.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said there was record travel over the Easter long weekend, with this coming weekend marking the last of the April long weekends.
“Early indications suggest domestic tourism spending in Queensland during the hat-trick of long weekends in April is expected to peak at around $2 billion,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“It’s a good result with Easter visitors to Queensland up 21 per cent on last year.
“Tourism operators also recorded strong booking figures for the ANZAC Day long weekend, which coincided with the end of school holidays in NSW and Victoria.”
Mr Hinchliffe said that occupancy rates across the Gold Coast, Sunshine Coast, Cairns and the Whitsundays held at an average 83% throughout the week, with interstate visitors extending Easter breaks into ANZAC Day.
For those looking to enjoy the last of the April long weekends, Mr Hinchliffe said great deals on Queensland getaways were still available.
“We’re encouraging Queenslanders to explore their own back yard this Labour Day long weekend,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Whether its sport, adventure, fishing or film there’s a lot to love, see and do in regional Queensland this Labour Day long weekend.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind said Easter had been a game changer for tourism operators.
“The Easter weekend certainly delivered the turnaround and the mood for tourism operators that we had hoped for,” Mr Gschwind said.
“The ANZAC weekend and the long weekend ahead of us are giving the industry the boost we need after the struggle we have had over the past two years.”