No other destination has been more excited to welcome back interstate travellers than Cairns, celebrating the arrival of the first flight from Sydney with a water cannon salute and tropical carnival themed welcome inside the terminal to greet passengers.
More than 300 visitors from New South Wales will arrive from Sydney within the first hour of Queensland opening its borders.
Jetstar flight JQ952 arrived in Cairns at 12.10pm with 177 passengers and Qantas flight QF922 arrived at 12.40pm with 160 passengers.
A water cannon salute greeted the first jet and passengers emerged in the Arrivals Hall through an arch of rainforest plants and tropical flowers to a sign saying Welcome New South Wales.
Indigenous performers, local animal mascots, a koala and baby crocodile and a Kombi van will add to the festivities as visitors collect their bags and set off to explore the reef, rainforest and outback of the Cairns and Great Barrier Reef region.
Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Officer (CEO) Mark Olsen greeted guests alongside members of the tourism and business industry.
“Our small population base and wide-open spaces make the Cairns region a highly desirable destination for people or groups wanting to leave the crowds of the cities behind.
“Cairns and Great Barrier Reef is where you can swim with turtles, see cassowaries in the world’s oldest rainforest and dine on extraordinary regional produce in beautiful tropical resorts.”
The interactive welcome event is a positive showcase of the region’s collaboration and hospitality that’s available to all travellers, business and leisure.
Contact Kahlia Pepper for Business Events Cairns & Great Barrier Reef media enquires.