The Queensland border reopened at noon last Friday after being closed to interstate visitors since March 12. Now the state’s tourism industry is looking forward to sunnier times again.
While the weather may have been cloudy, the good news is the Sunshine State’s border is open again (except to Victorians for now sadly), the flights are increasing and all over Queensland, the smiles are beginning to return to the faces of those working in travel and tourism.
Last Friday’s Queensland border reopening saw some expected delays on the roads at Coolangatta and Tweed of around an hour, but for the most part, it was a relatively smooth affair crossing the border.
So what happened?
The Gold Coast Airport went all out with the welcome water cannons to mark the arrival of its first interstate flight in on Friday from ADL.
Meanwhile at BNE, they were feeling the love…
Brisbane Airport also celebrated the launch of its brand new second runway on Sunday 12 to great fanfare. Congrats BNE!
Speaking to the ABC about the second runway launch Project director Paul Coughlan said he expects air travel will bounce back as it did after the September 11 attacks and the global financial crisis (GFC).
“It has always rebounded and it rebounds very strongly and I think that will happen again,” he said.
“It’s in a downturn but the great thing is… our borders have been opened.
“We’re already seeing flights picking up — I think we’re the busiest airport currently in terms of flight numbers — we’re up to 200 a day.
Meanwhile, up in Cairns the ABC reported that visitors arriving at Cairns Airport were treated to welcome fit for royalty.
The first interstate flight arrival from Sydney was greeted with a colourful Far North Queensland welcome that featured the Minjil Indigenous Dancers, animal mascots and the essential water salute.
Cairns Airport CEO Norris Carter said the official reopening of borders marked the reactivation of interstate tourism and was a sign the region is poised for recovery.
“This week we will see 20,000 passengers travel through the terminal, and that’s a 10-fold increase in passenger numbers since early June,” Mr Carter said.
Norris Carter, Cairns Airport CEO
“Every traveller is important, not only to the airlines that fly them here, but to all the businesses across the airport and the wider tourism community.”
Queensland’s border reopening will be followed by the Northern Territory this Friday 17th who will reopen their borders to all states except Victorian residents.
South Australia will reopen its borders on Monday 20th July to all states except Victorian residents.