New research shows Queensland's tourism industry is about to enter one of its busiest annual holiday periods, bolstered this year with a series of public holidays.
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) research undertaken in the leadup to the holiday period showed almost half of all Queenslanders intended to take a holiday over Easter, with one third of those intending to travel within Queensland.
Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones said the timing of Easter and Anzac Day holidays meant many people were taking extended breaks.
"Our tourism industry is set for a bumper Easter. With plenty of interstate visitors hopping over the border and Queenslanders keen to holiday at home, this break will really hit the sweet spot for local tourism operators," she said.
"It really is the perfect recipe for success - a series of public holidays combined with the start of the New South Wales school holidays. We're expecting hundreds of thousands of visitors to Queensland over the next couple of weeks.
"This is great for Queensland because we know more tourists mean more jobs for locals."
Today's research comes after the Premier last year announced 2019 the Year of Outback Tourism.
Ms Jones said the outback was a great place for visitors keen to book a holiday to Queensland in the next two weeks.
"Tourism operators particularly in North Queensland and the outback have done it tough this year. With so many public holidays, now is the perfect time for people to experience something they've never seen before.
"TEQ's 'Find your perfect next' campaign, which brought back the 'Beautiful One Day, Perfect The Next' tagline, has been in-market since February promoting Queensland as a perfect Easter destination and encouraging interstate travellers to book their next holiday here.
"We're looking forward to seeing plenty of 'no vacancy' signs across the state over the next fortnight."
Ms Jones said research also highlighted the Gold Coast as one of the state's most in-demand destinations for an Easter holiday.
"We know the Gold Coast is one of Australia's most iconic holiday destinations and our most recent research shows the coast continues to top the list for a Queensland Easter holiday," Ms Jones said.
"With several major events being staged on the Coast over the next few weeks, there's plenty to do over the Easter holidays.
"Throughout the state there is so much to explore – from the reopening of Daydream Island Resort in the Whitsundays to Outback Queensland's world-class line-up of events.
"I encourage all Aussies - if you haven't booked your holidays yet, come to Queensland."
