14 March 2025: One week after battening down the hatches across South East Queensland, hospitality giant Comiskey Group, in partnership with Visit Moreton Bay, is urging people not to cancel their travel plans.
Speaking from Sandstone Point Hotel and Resort – one of several Comiskey venues in the Moreton Bay region – Rob Comiskey said the business suffered “hundreds of thousands of dollars” in losses over the past week. However, with the cleanup now complete, they are hoping for a strong recovery this weekend.
“The lead-up to the event was devastating, particularly for our resort at Sandstone, where occupancy rates dropped significantly. We saw hundreds of thousands of dollars’ worth of cancellations,” he said.
Now, just a week later, Comiskey says the region is back to normal.
“If you’re planning to visit, don’t wait a month, a week, or even two months. We’re open, and it looks great now. You’ll have the same great experience as before,” he assured.
While most homes and businesses have had power restored, Visit Moreton Bay CEO Luke Edwards is urging people to keep their future bookings. He emphasised that many tourism operators in the region are small businesses that rely on visitors to survive.
“We’ve seen an immediate wave of cancellations, and unfortunately, they’re still coming in. But around 70-75% of operators are back up and running,” Edwards said.
“If visitors are able and willing, we encourage them to spend a day in Moreton Bay. Tourism here is driven by small, family-run businesses, and they need your support now.”
With Easter just a month away, Edwards urged travelers to stick with their plans.
“If you have a booking – don’t cancel it. And if you haven’t booked yet, there are still plenty of places available. Moreton Bay is ready to welcome you.”
Reflecting on the past week, Edwards highlighted the industry’s resilience.
“Seven days ago, we were bunkering down for Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred. From a tourism perspective, the impact has been severe, with widespread cancellations and postponements. Unfortunately, we’re still seeing those trends continue,” he said.
“There are some areas still without power, but the majority of tourism operators – including hospitality, cafés, and accommodations – are back online and open for business.”
Edwards stressed the importance of visitor support for the many small, family-owned businesses affected.
“We need your business now. With Easter approaching, we strongly encourage those who have already booked to keep their reservations.”
Ends.
For more information, images and interviews please contact Heather or Jen at The Comms. People:
Jennifer Swaine | 0438952830 | jen@commspeople.au
Heather Mollins | 0412421411 | heather@commspeople.au
