Wild weather hits operators in Queensland

Heavy rains and wild weather in south eastern Queensland are affecting attractions and other operators on what should have been a busy Australia Day weekend.

Amid the severe weather many events have been cancelled and operations scalled back. In Brisbane the Queensland Performing Arts Centre while on the Gold Coast, Dreamworld and White Water World closed on Sunday lunchtime. (The attractions remain closed today Monday 28th January, while Sea World is also closed).

Prior to this weekend, good weather over the summer holiday period has led to a successful tourist season in Queensland with the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) saying it had been a strong start to the year for tourism operators across the state.

Speaking before the severe weather of the weekend, QTIC Chief Executive Daniel Gschwind stated "the traditional holiday seasons in south-east Queensland - the beaches, the Sunshine Coast, the Gold Coast - but also further north they have done very, very well.

"I think it's right across the state - it's been a good season.

"It's not of course peak season in the north, but even they have done rather well under these conditions."

Gschwind believed that the industry was getting back on its feet, adding "it's been a very difficult couple of years for many operators - they have struggled.

"They have improved their businesses, they have repositioned their businesses.

"They have to pull out all-stops to remain viable in many cases over the last two years.

"I think it's a well-deserved break that everybody's getting a good season hopefully and one that puts tourism back on track."

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