Tourism operators in cyclone-hit coastal Queensland towns are bracing for a multimillion dollar clean-up, but fear overblown reporting that frightens off visitors could inflict more damage then the cyclone itself.
Tropical Cyclone Debbie on Tuesday night smashed into the tourist town of Airlie Beach, the departure point to the Whitsunday Islands, damaging buildings and washing a number of boats ashore.
More QLD News Videos
- Video duration
- 00:59
Hamilton Island cleans up after Cyclone ...
Hamilton Island cleans up after Cyclone Debbie
Hamilton Island faces a major clean up after the popular holiday destination was hit by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Video: Melissa Ryan.
Up Next
Flood hits the south east
- Video duration
- 01:36
- Video duration
- 01:36
Flood hits the south east
Flood hits the south east
Cars are stranded and train stations flooded as intense rain hits south east Queensland on Thursday.
Up Next
Tourists stranded on Whitsunday islands
- Video duration
- 02:21
- Video duration
- 02:21
Tourists stranded on Whitsunday islands
Tourists stranded on Whitsunday islands
Evacuations are planned for islands in the Whitsundays as stranded tourists run out of food and water. Nine News
Up Next
Storm system is massive
- Video duration
- 01:11
- Video duration
- 01:11
Storm system is massive
Storm system is massive
Heavy rain is hitting virtually the entire east coast of Australia, from Townsville through to south of Sydney. Nine News
Up Next
Don't go out: big storm coming
- Video duration
- 01:49
- Video duration
- 01:49
Don't go out: big storm coming
Don't go out: big storm coming
Up to 500mm of rain will dump on south-east Queensland on Thursday in a major weather event, due to peak late in the afternoon. Nine News
Up Next
Cyclone Debbie's power 'extraordinary'
- Video duration
- 01:46
- Video duration
- 01:46
Cyclone Debbie's power 'extraordinary'
Cyclone Debbie's power 'extraordinary'
Survivors of Cyclone Debbie count the cost and relive the devastation but claim that it "didn't beat us".
Up Next
'I'd 'rather go through Yasi'
- Video duration
- 02:41
- Video duration
- 02:41
'I'd 'rather go through Yasi'
'I'd 'rather go through Yasi'
The damage to Airlie Beach is 'devastating' as locals count the cost to tourism and business from Cyclone Debbie, which lasted "28 hours".
Hamilton Island cleans up after Cyclone Debbie
Hamilton Island faces a major clean up after the popular holiday destination was hit by Tropical Cyclone Debbie. Video: Melissa Ryan.
But Keith Roberts, owner of tour operator of Whitsunday Catamarans, said the damage to tourist infrastructure was limited and he was planning on resuming boat tours as soon as Monday.
Mr Roberts, who employs 40 staff and has turnover of about $10 million a year, said bookings had been cancelled for coming weeks and he expected forward bookings to take a hit as well.
Otherwise, he said, he was not overly concerned about the cyclone's direct long-term impact.
"Unfortunately, it's only going to be media that ruins it for us," he said. "What all of us feel here is that misreporting is very harmful."
Mr Roberts said he was incensed by reports of "the gateway to the Whitsundays, Shute Harbour" having been damaged. "Shute Harbour is not used for fairies anymore – hasn't been used for five years," he said.
His boats were safely in one of Airlie Beach's two other marinas, which sustained minor damage, but not enough to disrupt operations.
"Everybody will lose money and the repair bill will be in the millions, there's absolutely no doubt," Mr Roberts said. "But the boats are all fine, so really we only need to cut down a few branches, replace some carpet and put a couple of new signs up and you're back in business."
Tourists were on Thursday being evacuated from Hamilton Island after its airstrip reopened, while defence force personnel flew into the nearby Daydream Island with emergency food, water and fuel supplies.
Qantas, Jetstar and Virgin Australia were operating flights from Hamilton Island to Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane and Cairns.
Queensland's acting tourism minister Steven Miles has pledged the government's support to the industry as it recovers from the natural disaster.
"History tells us the tourism industry is incredibly resilient when it comes to responding to events like this," he said.
Airlines have cancelled all flights to Hamilton Island up to Sunday, at which point it will assess if it can resume services.
0 comments
New User? Sign up