Tourism operators in Queensland and northern New South Wales need long-term assistance beyond the Federal Government’s Disaster Recovery Allowance (DRA) to fully recover from the impact of ex-Cyclone Alfred, says Big Red Group CEO David Anderson.
While the DRA has provided some relief for businesses struggling in the aftermath, Anderson, whose company runs Australia’s largest experience network, stressed that additional support is crucial. Tourism in the Gold Coast has seen a dramatic 95% decline in bookings from March 3 to March 9, and the impact is expected to persist due to ongoing severe weather warnings across affected areas.
Although the worst of Cyclone Alfred has passed, both residents and businesses in Queensland and northern NSW are still grappling with its aftermath. Anderson pointed out that this is the second time in just over a year that Queensland tourism operators have faced severe disruptions due to natural disasters, with the effects now reaching as far as northern NSW.
“The impact of ex-Cyclone Alfred highlights the significant challenges extreme weather events pose to the tourism industry,” Anderson said. “Tourism operators, who are often the economic backbone of these communities, need sustained and long-term support to recover.”
He emphasized that the tourism sector is critical to the local economy, but with tourism bookings plummeting by 95% in the Gold Coast during the first week of March, many operators are struggling. He warned that the fallout from the cyclone will affect the region’s economy for months, as businesses rely on a steady flow of visitors.
“The severe weather is not only impacting operators but also the entire local economy that depends on tourism,” Anderson said. “Without targeted recovery initiatives, many businesses will find it difficult to recover.”
While tourism operators have repeatedly shown resilience in the face of challenges, Anderson urged both government and industry leaders to focus on tourism recovery. He called for initiatives like marketing campaigns to bring visitors back, investment in infrastructure, and financial aid to ensure that affected businesses and communities can recover.
“With the right support and collaboration between government and industry stakeholders, tourism in these regions can recover and even emerge stronger than before,” he said.
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