The Easter holidays are coming to an end in what has been a welcome respite for a tourism industry battered by recent severe weather events. While there's positive signs, there's still a way to go.
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00:00From taking a dip in Cairns.
00:04The weather could be a bit better.
00:07It's absolutely stunning.
00:10To fishing on the Sunshine Coast.
00:13We've caught, I think, six sand whiting of sours.
00:16And soaking up the Gold Coast sun.
00:19Crowds have turned up for the Easter holidays.
00:22Lots of beach and parks and playgrounds and more beach.
00:26Yes, keeping the kids happy.
00:28While the wounds left by tropical cyclone Alfred remain,
00:31accommodation providers are thrilled to welcome back tourists in droves.
00:36Two weeks prior to the Easter weekend we were only at 65% occupancy.
00:41One week beforehand it went up to 75%.
00:44And in the last week leading up to Easter it shot up to 97%.
00:48In the far north, tour operators are seeing strong numbers.
00:52We're full today, it's Monday and tomorrow as well.
00:54But businesses in western Queensland are still reeling
00:57from widespread floods.
00:59Compared to last year, we were doing 300 people a day.
01:03We're doing 30 to 40 people a day.
01:05So very quiet.
01:06A plea from the west to consider the outback for your next adventure.
01:10Please do yourself a favour.
01:12Don't leave it on the bucket list.
01:14Make it happen.
01:15And make it happen soon because we really need you to come out and help us.
01:18While occupancy rates on the Sunshine Coast are slightly down,
01:22and some Gold Coast beaches remain closed, there is optimism.
01:26We all took a little bit of a beat in there, but we have to look forward
01:30and just hope that things turn out well.
01:32Our forward bookings for the next month actually are really good,
01:35leading up to what we believe is going to be an amazing winter.
01:38Many today enjoyed a final burst of holiday freedom.
01:42I thought we would sneak a fish in before we go back to school.
01:45Something others are looking forward to.
01:47We'll see you next time.
01:48We'll see you next time.
01:49Bye.