Holidaymakers find their way through Queensland boosting tourism

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Easter holidays are coming to an end in what has been a welcome respite for a tourism industry battered by recent severe weather events. While there's positive signs, there's still a way to go.

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00:00From taking a dip in Cairns.

00:04The weather could be a bit better.

00:07It's absolutely stunning.

00:10To fishing on the Sunshine Coast.

00:13We've caught, I think, six sand whiting of sours.

00:16And soaking up the Gold Coast sun.

00:19Crowds have turned up for the Easter holidays.

00:22Lots of beach and parks and playgrounds and more beach.

00:26Yes, keeping the kids happy.

00:28While the wounds left by tropical cyclone Alfred remain,

00:31accommodation providers are thrilled to welcome back tourists in droves.

00:36Two weeks prior to the Easter weekend we were only at 65% occupancy.

00:41One week beforehand it went up to 75%.

00:44And in the last week leading up to Easter it shot up to 97%.

00:48In the far north, tour operators are seeing strong numbers.

00:52We're full today, it's Monday and tomorrow as well.

00:54But businesses in western Queensland are still reeling

00:57from widespread floods.

00:59Compared to last year, we were doing 300 people a day.

01:03We're doing 30 to 40 people a day.

01:05So very quiet.

01:06A plea from the west to consider the outback for your next adventure.

01:10Please do yourself a favour.

01:12Don't leave it on the bucket list.

01:14Make it happen.

01:15And make it happen soon because we really need you to come out and help us.

01:18While occupancy rates on the Sunshine Coast are slightly down,

01:22and some Gold Coast beaches remain closed, there is optimism.

01:26We all took a little bit of a beat in there, but we have to look forward

01:30and just hope that things turn out well.

01:32Our forward bookings for the next month actually are really good,

01:35leading up to what we believe is going to be an amazing winter.

01:38Many today enjoyed a final burst of holiday freedom.

01:42I thought we would sneak a fish in before we go back to school.

01:45Something others are looking forward to.

01:47We'll see you next time.

01:48We'll see you next time.

01:49Bye.

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