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Cairns Aquarium has today welcomed its one millionth visitor as tourism leaders report promising signs of recovery in the sector.
Figures from Tourism Tropical North Queensland show that in both Cairns and Port Douglas, the accommodation occupancy rate for the Easter period sits at around 80 per cent.
That’s off the back of growth in Cairns Airport’s domestic flight schedule.
More than 40 flights are scheduled to land today alone, while this week Qantas resumed its Cairns to Darwin route with four flights a week.
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“The team has added half a million incremental seats to new destinations or to destinations that particular airline didn’t fly to,” said Cairns Airport CEO Richard Barker.
“In the months of May, June, July we have more seat capacity than we did at the same time in 2019.
“We’ve got more planes, which is directly translating into more availability to get here with good prices and that translates into bookings, which drives the economy.
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The schedule has received a boost with the introduction of new carrier Bonza, which is now hiring staff for its major bases on the Sunshine Coast and in Melbourne.
A spokesperson couldn’t tell Tropic Now if or when any Cairns jobs would become available in the future.
“This is the first opportunity to be part of an airline from day one in 14 years and demand is expected to be sky-high,” Bonza CEO Tim Jordan said in a statement.
“Recruitment, for largely pilots and cabin crew roles, comes at a time when the aviation industry needs a welcome shot in the arm, domestic tourism demand is building and Bonza is fast growing followers excited about our mission to give Aussies more choice when it comes to holidays.”
Bonza is due to start operating mid-year, with twice-weekly flights from Cairns to both Mackay and Rockhampton, along with five weekly flights to the Sunshine Coast.
Dr Martin Parkinson, non-executive Director of North Queensland Airports, told Tropic Now the extra traffic will eventually lead to recovery in the wider economy.
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“You can’t immediately bring people in and expect businesses to pop up,” Dr Parkinson said.
“They need to be confident but I’m really optimistic about the region’s future.”
Among the tourism businesses who’ve had to rely largely on locals during the COVID-19 pandemic is Cairns Aquarium.
CEO and co-founder Daniel Leipnik said it’s why welcoming the attraction’s one millionth visitor has been a special milestone.
West Australian residents Annette and Steve Marchesano tipped the turnstile number over.
“This celebration is remarkable given the constant intra-state, interstate and international border closures that prevented holiday makers from visiting Cairns,” he said.
“Whilst the Great Barrier Reef remains the region’s major eco adventure drawcard, the Cairns Aquarium has quickly become a must-do aquatic wildlife experience.”
The lucky visitors have been treated to a range of gifts, including free entry passes, lunch and dinner at Dundee’s, a dive with the sharks experience and a twilight guided nocturnal tour.
Main points
- Easter occupancy rates are around 80%
- From May, domestic services into Cairns Airport will exceed pre-COVID levels
- Cairns Aquarium has notched up one million visitors over 5 years in operation
