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Mackay Whitsunday tourism operators are gearing up for state awards of a different vibe in 2021 as the industry celebrates resilience through COVID-19.
Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the return of the Queensland Tourism Awards was a âsignificant milestoneâ for the industry which had worked hard to rebuild.
âTourism remains a driving force for regional economies and communities across Queensland, accounting for one in nine Queensland jobs and nearly one in six jobs in Far North Queensland,â Mr Gschwind said.
He said 2020 was âundeniablyâ a tough year but the industry took it in its stride with the number of Queenslanders holidaying in their own state soaring by 12 per cent in December 2020 compared to the period the year prior.
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UPDATE 1PM SUN: RACQ CQ Rescue has airlifted a first responder to Mackay Base Hospital after two consecutive accidents on Bowen Developmental Road on Saturday afternoon. The Mackay-based rescue helicopter was already en route to Moranbah to transfer a patient to hospital when it was re-tasked to a serious single vehicle accident involving five occupants near Belyando Crossing about 2.30pm. An RACQ CQ Rescue spokeswoman said two rescue helicopters, including the Rescue 512 crew from Townsville, were tasked to the accident scene because of the number of people involved. When the rescue service landed adjacent to the accident site about 3pm, they were notified that an emergency services vehicle, which had also been on the way to attend the crash, had lost control and rolled just a couple of hundred metres from the first accident.
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Subscriber only But Dawson MP George Christensen has hit back, questioning why the State Government s $200 travel vouchers were not extended to the Whitsundays. Last week the Federal Government revealed 800,000 discounted tickets would include return flights from Sydney to both Proserpine and Hamilton Island between April 1 and July 31. Discounted flights are not on offer for Mackay Airport. In parliament, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick questioned why so many Queensland destinations, including Mackay, were left out. The tickets to the Mackay region do not actually include Mackay Airport, Mr Dick said. Sadly, it seems the Federal Government do not have a list of airports in Queensland.
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This follows three recently positive COVID-19 cases transiting through Brisbane Airport.
Dr Jeannette Young said the mask wearing direction is in place for exactly this reason. Anyone flying on a plane is reminded to wear a mask at the airport and during the flight.
Picture: Alex Coppel.
“We know most of our positive cases are overseas acquired in people travelling to Queensland on planes,” she said.
“This is why the Australian Government mandated mask wearing on planes and in airports, and we have put in place a specific public health direction in Queensland to enforce it.