Tourism Queensland is using tourism support funding to spread the word that most of the state is ready for visitors following cyclone Yasi.
Jane Nicholson, its international director based in the UK, said the destination is “shining through” in the wake of Tropical Yasi, a category five system which crossed the Queensland coast on February 2.
“Queensland has a big task on its hands now to recover as quickly as possible and welcome visitors once more,” she said.
“The people who work in Queensland’s tourism industry are resilient, resourceful and well equipped with the tools to bounce back as quickly as possible.
“As air access into important tourist hubs such as Cairns and the Whitsundays returns to normal and tourism businesses re-open their doors, it’s imperative that we let UK visitors know that Queensland is bouncing back and is ready to welcome them.”
She said the state would be using planned marketing activities and funding made available as part of the AU$10 million Tourism Industry Support Package to get the message out that most of the state is open for business.
The tourist board said many of the areas that were in the path of Cyclone Yasi are returning to normal.
Cairns International Airport is fully operational and accommodation in Cairns, Palm Cove, Port Douglas, Cairns Tablelands, Daintree and Cape Tribulation are open and operating as normal.
However, the resort area of Mission Beach on the Cassowary Coast will take some time to recover.
By Bev Fearis
