People’s Long Weekend set to deliver multi-million-dollar surge for Qld economy

Published Tuesday, 17 August, 2021 at 10:59 AM

JOINT STATEMENT

Premier and Minister for Trade
The Honourable Annastacia Palaszczuk

Minister for Education, Minister for Industrial Relations and Minister for Racing
The Honourable Grace Grace

Minister for Tourism Industry Development and Innovation and Minister for Sport
The Honourable Stirling Hinchliffe

The Ekka Show Holiday will move to create a long weekend in October – set to pump $130 million into Queensland’s economy and support the state’s tourism sector.

The People’s Day Public Holiday (scheduled for 11 August) had to be postponed as the state grappled with a new outbreak of the deadly delta strain earlier this month.

Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the People’s Day would become People’s Long Weekend on Friday 29 October.

“Ekka is where the bush meets the city. This gives the city the chance to go to the bush, the beach or the rainforest,” the Premier said.

“By creating a long weekend in October, we’re giving thousands of Queenslanders a chance to explore their own state.

“Our tourism industry has done it tough this year. The delta variant has had an impact on our economy and with less support from the Morrison Government, many businesses are struggling more than ever.

“I’m urging Queenslanders to use the People’s Long Weekend to support local businesses and local jobs. Please holiday at home on October 29.”

Last year’s cancellation of the Ekka saw the Ekka public holiday moved from 12 August to 14 August, 2020.

Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace said last year’s People’s Long Weekend led to a 31 per cent surge in Queenslanders holidaying at home and a 62 per cent surge in the amount of money spent by Queenslanders in the Sunshine State.

“We know first-hand the benefits that carefully selected public holidays can deliver for local businesses,” she said.

“Last year’s People’s Long Weekend had a great impact on Queensland’s economy.

“We’ve consulted closely with tourism operators, stakeholders and businesses and picked October 29 because we believe this date will deliver local businesses the financial boost that they need.”

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said there was plenty for Queenslanders to do on People’s Long Weekend to support the recovery of local tourism operators.

“The Noosa Triathlon is on, so too the Beach 5s Rugby on the Gold Coast, and if a weekend of top-class fishing is your passion, you’re in luck with the Fitzroy River Barra Bash,” Mr Hinchliffe said.

“Late October is always a great opportunity to catch the tail end of the whale watching season.

“It’s still good weather for an Outback trek in search of dinosaurs, a sailing trip in the Whitsundays and Cairns is always the perfect place to discover to wonders of the Great Barrier Reef.

“Whether you’re jumping in car or boarding a jet for the North, you owe it to yourself and Queensland tourism operators to get out of the house and have a terrific long weekend in Australia’s favourite holiday destinations.”

ENDS

Media contact:

Jack Harbour (Premier’s office) 0419 620 447

Laura McKee (Industrial Relations Minister’s office) 0451 997 920

Darren Roberts (Tourism Minister’s office) 0427 475 089