COVID-Safe Travel in Queensland

Queensland's tourism industry is now open, ready to welcome interstate visitors from tomorrow and is following a COVID-Safe framework to provide safe experiences for travellers.

Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) Chief Executive Officer Leanne Coddington said consumer research is showing that there is strong demand for travel but also that health and safety is top of mind for travellers.

“We have worked with businesses around the state to share the information and requirements on how to be COVID-Safe, and once they have the required documentation in place they can display a Good to Go 'stamp' in their marketing to help assure travellers they will be booking a safe experience,” Ms Coddington said.

Over and beyond the required safety procedures and documentation, some of Queensland's tourism businesses have taken additional steps to ensure peace-of-mind for travellers:

• Instead of their regular guided small group bus tours, Brett's Outback Tasting Adventures in Tropical North Queensland has introduced tag along tasting adventures, where guests are equipped with a CB radio to listen to the guide's commentary as they follow along in their own car.
• Hamilton Island has implemented thermal imaging cameras at both Hamilton Island Airport and Hamilton Island Marina to monitor all arrivals to the island. Additionally, these cameras will be used in busy areas across the island at peak times.
• Sea Life Sunshine Coast has introduced mandatory online bookings for visitors to pre-select a timeslot for their arrival.
• Australian Sunset Safaris have invested in a new machine to sterilise their vehicles with an antiseptic mist after every use.
• Crystalbrook Collection, which operate three hotels in Queensland, will become Australia's first cashless hospitality company from 1 July 2020 and will also be offering contactless and paperless check-in and check-out and optional complimentary face masks.
• Some operators, including Howard Smith Wharves in Brisbane and the Reef Gateway Hotel in the Whitsundays, are providing a contactless experiences where customers can now view the menu, order and pay on their phone, allowing customers to safely and comfortably dine at their table.
• As part of their new ALLSAFE Program, Accor launched a new global partnership with AXA to provide medical support to guests across the Accor hotels network. Fully qualified physicians and medical specialists will be available to Accor guests 24/7 worldwide. In the first instance, this will be via tele-medical consultations and, if further action is needed, the hotel teams and AXA will be able to expedite this for the guest.

Developed by the Queensland Tourism Industry Council (QTIC) and approved by the state's Chief Health Officer, Dr Jeanette Young, the Queensland Industry Plan for Tourism and Accommodation and the Queensland Industry Framework for Events outline COVID -Safe practices and recommendations that allow tourism businesses and event organisers to maintain safety and operate viably.

The approved plans come on top of Workplace Health and Safety Plans and other Queensland Health requirements in place for all businesses and events.

“Operators are keen to get back to business and the plans offer accommodation, tour operators and event organisers clear options to provide their services and welcome customers in a COVID-Safe way,” said Daniel Gschwind, Chief Executive Officer of Queensland Tourism Industry Council.

“The Plan for Tourism and Accommodation also provides practical measures for customer management that allow businesses to accommodate more guests on tours and day trips.”

The plans also give operators the tools to demonstrate to potential customers that they will be in a COVID-Safe environment. Consumer research is consistently showing that health and safety are a primary concern for travellers.

Operators can also complete an online checklist through the Quality Tourism Framework platform, a nationally recognised program consistent with the Queensland Industry Plan for Tourism and Accommodation and Queensland Industry Framework for Events. This complementary program will allow operators to display a COVID-clean practicing business logo.

For the latest information on COVID-19 travel restrictions in Queensland, click here.

To check which Queensland operators are open, ready to welcome visitors, and are following COVID-Safe practices, keep an eye out for the Good to Go stamp or visit queensland.com and in the search bar sort your results by region or town and 'Good to Go'.

Website: www.queensland.com/