And she is right. Have a read of her article - it is an excellent overview to the current and future status of domestic tourism in Queensland.
However, what we all should be concerned about are the comments to Angela's story. They should be read by anyone in the Whitsundays (and Queensland) tourism industry - they are not only a warning sign, but also a wake up call. With respect to Travel News / News Ltd, I have reprinted some of the 50+ comments that are relevant to the Whitsundays.
James
Not surprising, the Whitsundays are so expensive that its cheaper for me to fly to San Francisco and enjoy a week there than it is for me to go local.
Stig of Sydney
Owners and workers can't expect to earn incomes that enable them to afford lifestyles of the rich and famous. They should take the collective pay cut and put out a genuinely competitive product. You can't rack em and stack em any more and faux Vegas will not rescue the Gold Coast. My suggestions - put a premium on preserving the natural environment (eg no redirecting the Noosa River to enable some island subdivision, pull down the towers on Hamilton Island), play to our strengths (not three star faux "luxury"), be polite and most importantly, don't gouge at every opportunity.
steve of croydon
Leesa of Melbourne
Having just spent a week on Hayman Island, including major construction work everyday from 7am until dark at no extra charge! Why would you bother, its totally overpriced, totally tired, and totally non competitive with comparable offerings.
As well as the cost of the actual holiday, the airlines are cutting back on flights to Queensland destinations. Try finding a flight to the Whitsunday Coast, (Proserpine) which used to be easy and relatively cheap. Qld tourism should work with the airlines, so there are some incentives to holiday in Queensland.
Rob of Perth of Perth
Would love to go the the Whitsundays in particular, a sailing holiday would be good, but just to expensive. Of all things a sailing holiday in Greece is cheaper all in.
However, a couple of the comments have taken a different overview of the current situation, which, (as a resident who has lived here when it was just Qantas and Ansett), seem quite valid:
Kevin of Double Bay Posted at 2:09 PM Today
I think a contributing factor to this issue is the fact that domestic airlines in this country have staged such a massive discounting war we are finding people form all sorts of social backgrounds are now invading what were once prestigious local holiday destinations within Australia and this in turn is reducing the refined ambiance of a lot of these destinations. Take Noosa for example, 10 years ago you would find it difficult to find a tourist wearing white rimmed sunglasses or showing exposed ink tattoos. Sadly I was there 3 weeks ago checking on our unit and the main street has simply become a magnet for bogans. Not for me thanks, not all Australians want to holiday in a location awash with Horizon 40s and six packs of Bacardi Breezes. I’m already planning our next holiday, overseas.
Retired Soldier of Gold Coast Posted at 3:54 PM Today
Jetstar and Virgin Blue didn't exist when I moved to the Whitsundays ten years ago, however they are now the only airlines to service our area, and they are both classified as LCC's (Low Cost Carrier). I remember purchasing a ticket from Hamilton Island to Sydney return with Qantas in 2001 and it cost $850. Last week I got a return flight for less than $200. Originally, air fares restricted the type of traveller to the Whitsundays.
Kevin of Double Bay Posted at 2:09 PM Today I have to agree with good old Kevin from Double Bay. We all know he is a pretentious snob but his take on our Bogans is spot on every time. They have ruined our once fine local holiday destinations, entertainment venues, all aircraft flights and airport lounges as well. The worst thing the airlines ever did was to drop prices to the extent that the "great unwashed" could afford to take their tribes of offspring to destinations once reserved for the exclusive use of Kevin and myself. I see that the airlines are now going to allow phone texting in planes ! Won't the singlet wearing, beer swilling Bogans love this ridiculous move which can only result in some pretty serious problems on aircraft as a result of abuse by the usual idiots. I also notice these cretins have infiltrated the Business Class lounges and aircraft cabins and it wont be long before they are travelling right up the front as well. Kevin and I may have to charter a private flight for our overseas trips.So, it looks like selling 4 star stuff at 5 star prices won't attract 3 star tourists - and that is with the utmost respect to everyone concerned.
Jetstar and Virgin Blue didn't exist when I moved to the Whitsundays ten years ago, however they are now the only airlines to service our area, and they are both classified as LCC's (Low Cost Carrier). I remember purchasing a ticket from Hamilton Island to Sydney return with Qantas in 2001 and it cost $850. Last week I got a return flight for less than $200. Originally, air fares restricted the type of traveller to the Whitsundays.
It was interesting to note that one person commented he was going overseas with his pregnant wife because it was cheaper . . . . if I had a pregnant wife and she wanted a holiday, I know what country, and especially which region, where I would like to be in if there were complications (thank you CQ Rescue).
My 2 cents:
I think the Whitsundays is going to end up being the 'weekender' zone for the ever expanding coal and export industries starting to encroach into our zone, like the equivalant of Central Coast is to Sydney, Mornington is to Melbourne, and Noosa is to Brisbane.
Comments last week by the Chair of Tourism Whitsundays on why Proserpine Airport should be as busy as Cairns Airport are fanciful. We have Hamilton Island Airport 50km away as the crow flies. How many other regions, with a population of around 25,000, have two major airports with jet services to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne? I can only think of Sydney and Melbourne.
The best I expect Proserpine Airport will attain in the next 20 years will be similar to what Newcastle (NSW) Airport is now. However, there are signs appearing on the horizon that there may be only one airport to choose from in the Whitsundays in the future - a private one. More on this story soon.
My 2 cents:
I think the Whitsundays is going to end up being the 'weekender' zone for the ever expanding coal and export industries starting to encroach into our zone, like the equivalant of Central Coast is to Sydney, Mornington is to Melbourne, and Noosa is to Brisbane.
Comments last week by the Chair of Tourism Whitsundays on why Proserpine Airport should be as busy as Cairns Airport are fanciful. We have Hamilton Island Airport 50km away as the crow flies. How many other regions, with a population of around 25,000, have two major airports with jet services to Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne? I can only think of Sydney and Melbourne.
The best I expect Proserpine Airport will attain in the next 20 years will be similar to what Newcastle (NSW) Airport is now. However, there are signs appearing on the horizon that there may be only one airport to choose from in the Whitsundays in the future - a private one. More on this story soon.
Sources
Relevant links
Will Proserpine Airport survive?
Will Proserpine Airport survive?
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