Whitsundays Flourishing

Introduction

In March 2017, Cyclone Debbie wreaked havoc on many of Queensland’s iconic holiday destinations, especially in the Whitsunday Region. Many of us watched the media coverage, helpless to stop the devastation, as idyllic retreats such as Airlie Beach and Hamilton Island were badly damaged. Daydream Island and Hayman Island were forced to close while repair works were undertaken.

Almost three years later, the Whitsunday Region is again flourishing with industry award recognition, the completion of several major developments, and other significant projects underway.

Whitsunday industry awards

The Norton Rose Fulbright Tourism and Hospitality Team works closely with key industry players in relation to many tourism developments, including with Queensland’s peak tourism industry body, the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC).

In November 2019 at the Queensland Tourism Awards presented by QTIC, the Whitsunday Region had a remarkable night taking home the second largest collection of accolades with 13 awards. At the Awards, Tourism Industry Development Minister Kate Jones congratulated all Whitsunday winners and entrants, noting that “their contribution not only supports their local economy, but contributes to the backbone of Queensland’s $27.2 billion tourism industry”. ¹

Whitsunday region developments

Glenn Bourke, CEO of Hamilton Island tells us that:

"Natural disasters like Cyclone Debbie, whilst appearing catastrophic at the time, offer up some opportunities too. Here in the Whitsundays, island management of all the resorts committed to major capital investment coupled with insurance funding, which saw us refurbish to new and higher levels, using improved techniques, making us more resilient going forward. Many of the private property owners of holiday housing chose to do the same. So while natural disasters feel debilitating at the time, the long term commercial benefits can be significant, when the right investment is made. For us here on Hamilton Island our occupancy in the last three years is substantially better than any previous window in the Island's history."

Consistent with Glenn Bourke’s comments, the Whitsunday Region has enjoyed the completion of several major developments with some significant projects still underway:

• Hamilton Island reopened on 8 April 2017 shortly after the damage caused by Cyclone Debbie. It continues to invest in new developments and initiatives to ensure that it remains a world-class holiday destination.²
• Elysian Retreat, Long Island reopened in January 2019 after an almost year-long renovation by The Sojourn Retreats Group. The former Paradise Bay Eco Resort had been closed for over three years after being damaged by Cyclone Marcia in 2015 and then Cyclone Debbie in 2017.³
• The $140 million Daydream Island Resort officially reopened in June 2019 following its redevelopment.⁴
• Hayman Island operated by Intercontinental reopened in July 2019 after a $135 million refurbishment.⁵
• In June 2019, the Airlie Beach Foreshore Revitalisation opened and in mid-2019 Whitsunday Regional Council completed its $40 million Whitsunday Coast Airport runway and terminal upgrade.
• Construction work on the $54.5 million Shute Harbour Restoration Project is expected to begin in January 2020. It will see a complete rebuild of the seawall, terminal, pontoons and car park. It was reported in November 2019 that the Whitsunday Regional Council had worked with its contractor to reduce the disruption to the Shute Harbour ferry service from 5 months to 5 weeks.⁶  This is welcome commitment to those who use the ferry service and have already been through the disruption caused to its use by the damage done by Cyclone Debbie

A bright future

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Tash Wheeler confirmed that the Whitsunday Region is continuing to flourish, stating in a media release in July 2019 that:

“It is no secret that our region has had a tough 18 months however seeing all these redevelopments come to fruition over the past couple of months and with many more still to come it really is reinvigorating our region; this is an exciting time for the Whitsundays!” ⁷

The Whitsunday Region is back better than ever with a bright sunny future ahead.