Tourism operators have Seized the Days left in 2022 to offer tempting holiday deals and opportunities to share Queensland’s great lifestyle, and support more good, secure jobs.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said from today, the website had more than 500 deals on visitor experiences, flights and places to stay.
“Our Seize the Days tourism campaign is designed to encourage Australians and Queenslanders to take a Queensland holiday before Christmas, and 2022 becomes 2023,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“Seize the Days is all about irresistible deals on visitor experiences, accommodation and flights to turn holiday dreaming into bookings.
“Today, the next phase of Seize the Days campaign is rolling out in New South Wales, Victoria and Queensland in print and digital with more than 500 Queensland holiday deals from 260 operators and travel partners.
“It’s already October and that means the clock is running down on 2022 to experience more of Queensland’s great lifestyle before the start of the peak Christmas and New Year holiday season.
“A recent YouGov poll found 2022 has been tough with more than 11 million Australians feeling they haven’t made the most of the year, 43 per cent are tired and more than a third feel stressed.
“It’s absolutely clear Australians should Seize the Days and grab a great deal on a world-class Queensland holiday experience.
“We know when visitors Seize the Days to experience Queensland’s great holiday lifestyle, they also support more good, secure tourism industry jobs, particularly in regional Queensland, and billions for the visitor economy.”
Launched in late August, Seize the Days is on track to deliver 6.7 million visitor nights and $4.4 billion for Queensland’s visitor economy.
The Palaszczuk Government’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) partnership with Queensland’s four international airports has secured another crucial, direct inbound service from Japan to Brisbane International Airport.
From December, Qantas will fly an Airbus A330-300 three times per week from Haneda, Tokyo direct to Brisbane, and supporting up to 400 good Queensland jobs.
“Japan is an important part of our recovery plan for Queensland’s international tourism industry and that’s why our $200 million aviation ‘war chest’ is backing new Qantas flights from Haneda,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
“With 46,460 inbound seats landing every year, the new Qantas flights from Japan are predicted to contribute $41 million in overnight visitor spending to Brisbane’s visitor economy.
“The Qantas announcement coincides perfectly with this weekend’s first airing of G’day Australia, a 26-week series on Tokyo TV featuring iconic Queensland and Australian visitor experiences.
“And from Tuesday, relaxed travel arrangements to Japan will make it even easier for Japanese travellers to experience Queensland’s great lifestyle with confidence.”
Qantas International CEO Andrew David said the launch of the flights between Haneda (Tokyo) and Brisbane would entice more international visitors to the Sunshine State.
“Qantas is the first airline to operate commercial scheduled flights between Haneda and Brisbane and forward bookings are tracking well, in particular for the upcoming Australian summer holiday period,” he said.
“We look forward to bringing Japanese tourists direct to Queensland to enjoy all that the state has to offer.”
Brisbane Airport Corporation CEO Gert Jan de Graaff also welcomed the new Qantas services from Japan.
“Since the 1980s, the Japanese market has been an important one for Queensland,” he said.
“The start of non-stop flights from Tokyo to Brisbane will once again open this pipeline to support jobs and the local tourism industry.”
Queensland’s $200 million Attracting Aviation Investment Fund (AAIF) currently supports six direct international services.
Over the next year, the AAIF is predicted to deliver up to $346 million in overnight international visitor expenditure and support 3,376 jobs.
