)
Travellers will be able to fly directly between Hobart and the Gold Coast on a new Jetstar service once Tasmania opens its borders to Queensland on 26 October.
Unveiled today, the new service will connect the two destinations in time for the busy summer season, which Queensland Airports CEO Chris Mills said will be a welcome shot in the arm for tourism operators.
"Both the Gold Coast and Tasmanian tourism industries have been particularly hard hit by COVID-19 related travel restrictions, given the strong focus on tourism for both destinations," said Mills.
"We have seen how eager family and friends are to see each other, since the Canberra services restarted. The flights will start in time for the peak tourism seasons in both destinations, opening up another part of the country for travellers to explore in the summer months."
The service, supported by the Queensland Government and Destination Gold Coast, will deliver more than 1,200 passenger seats between the Gold Coast and Tasmania each week, or 62,400 annually.
Queensland Assistant Tourism Minister Meghan Scanlon said the new service, which will operate three times per week, is set to generate $11.6 million in overnight visitor expenditure on the Gold Coast.
"Tourism is a cornerstone of our economy. We're working with airlines to secure new direct flights to the Gold Coast because we know that flights pump millions of dollars into local businesses and support local jobs," she said.
Destination Gold Coast deputy chair Adrienne Readings welcomed the announcement, saying the new service would give Tasmanians the opportunity to come and play on the Gold Coast this summer and beyond.
"With the support of our industry partners we are working hard to secure opportunities for the Gold Coast to increase accessibility into the region, to springboard tourism recovery," said Readings.
Updated 2.11pm AEST on 7 October 2020.
)
