Tourism campaign to encourage Queenslanders to visit Southern Great Barrier Reef

Queenslanders are being encouraged to visit the Southern Great Barrier Reef to support the local tourism industry and do their bit to support the region with its recovery from Tropical Cyclone Marcia.

Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games, Kate Jones, announced a new marketing campaign promoting the Southern Great Barrier Reef will kick-off on Sunday 8 March.

“Queensland’s tourism industry is well known for its resilience,” Minister Jones said.

“We want to let everyone know that following Tropical Cyclone Marcia our major tourist attractions in the Southern Great Barrier Reef region are quickly getting back to business.

“Operators in the affected areas of Yeppoon, Rockhampton and Great Keppel Island have reopened their doors and are ready to welcome visitors.

“Taking a holiday in the destination is one of the best ways to help the region recover.

“The majority of Queensland‘s destinations were not impacted by this event and are welcoming visitors right now.”

Minister Jones said tourism was a vital industry in Queensland and urged visitors to continue to support regional businesses.

The Southern Great Barrier Reef, which includes Gladstone (including Banana Shire), Capricorn and Bundaberg North Burnett regions, welcomed more than 1.7 million Australian travellers in the Year to September 2014, an increase of 11.5 per cent on the year prior.

“It’s important that we continue to build on this momentum and do all that we can to support the tourism industry in the wake of Tropical Cyclone Marcia,” Ms Jones said.

State Member for Keppel Brittany Lauga said, “This is a stunning part of the world and people shouldn’t miss out on seeing its beauty so I want to spread the word that we’re welcoming visitors again.”

The marketing campaign, led by Tourism and Events Queensland in partnership with Regional Tourism Organisations, will appear on TV, billboards and online reminding Queenslanders that the Southern Great Barrier Reef is Where Great Begins.

Campaign activity will also extend into one of the destination’s key international markets, New Zealand, with promotion beginning mid-March in partnership with Tourism Australia and leading retailer House of Travel.

“We’re encouraging Queenslanders and tourism operators across the state to share images of the sun shining and showcase our fantastic destinations and visitor experiences using the hashtag #thisisqueensland and #southerngreatbarrierreef,” Minister Jones added

Capricorn Enterprise CEO Mary Carroll said, “The local tourism industry and retail sector is keen to get the message out that we are quickly getting back to business and ready to welcome visitors.

“The Capricorn Coast has some of the best experiences that the Southern Great Barrier Reef has to offer,” Ms Carroll said.

“Our key message is don’t cancel your business or leisure bookings and with Easter coming up continue your holidays as planned.”

To find out more about tourism experiences in the Southern Great Barrier Reef visit www.southerngreatbarrierreef.com.au

Emma Smith (Minister Jones’ Office) 0417 405 879