Excerpt from the Sunshine Valley Gazette
THE Federal Government last week unveiled a $1.2 billion tourism rescue package to provide an estimated 800,000 half-price plane tickets for key areas, including the Sunshine Coast.
The cheap return flights to more than a dozen regional tourism destinations will be offered across Australia to help save the ailing industries.
“As a tourism mecca, the Sunny Coast and its businesses have felt the pain throughout COVID-19,” said Fairfax MP Ted O’Brien.
“But the Federal Government is determined to do whatever is necessary to support our airport and local operators.
“These flights will bring thousands more tourists, which means more business for our accommodation providers, visitor attractions, restaurants, shops and bars … and that all adds up to a lot of additional dollars for everyone on the Sunshine Coast.
“Hopefully, the visitors that arrive on these flights will not only enjoy our beautiful beaches and stay only on the coast, but they’ll hire cars and head into the hinterland to visit local attractions, such as the Big Pineapple and the Ginger factory.
“If they don’t head inland, they’ll be missing some of the most stunning places in our region.”