As coronavirus travel restrictions ease, allowing Queenslanders to travel around the state, tourism operators, cafes and accommodation providers in the Wide Bay and Burnett regions have eagerly reopened their doors.
On Sunday, Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk announced unrestricted intrastate travel and gatherings of up to 20 people would be permitted from midday today.
Bundaberg Tourism Chief Executive, Katherine Reid, said the sector has been pleasantly surprised by the early ease in restrictions.
"We are encouraging locals and all people in our region to take a holiday in our own backyard — and if you can book an overnight stay, somewhere different in the region, go out for dinner and really support our businesses around the region," she said.
"Talking to a few accommodation operators along the coast in Bargara, they are already starting to get calls.
"They were ready and looking forward to seeing bookings come in when the stage two restrictions were happening, so we are excited it has enabled us to make it happen even earlier."
Businesses, hotels keen to make it work
Fraser Coast Mayor, George Seymour, said operators were focused on making the most of the upcoming whale season.
"The Fraser Coast is ready to go. I know that local businesses, cafes, restaurants, hotels are keen to make this work," he said.
"We want to make sure we have a great whale watching season which starts around mid-July.
"It'll create some issues in terms of social distancing on boats but we're working with the State Government about solutions."
Backyard tourism the focus
Lady Musgrave Experience commercial director, Shane Anderson, who oversees day tours to the island in the southern Great Barrier Reef, was looking forward to reopening after stopping all tours due to COVID-19.
"What a magnificent opportunity is it for everyone to be out and discovering our own backyard and with the Great Barrier Reef so close in the Wide Bay," he said.
"Zero [customers] is difficult, so I think to come out on the other side of that and be able to welcome people, we are looking forward to showing them what we know best — and that's the reef."
Turtle Town Scuba Bargara owner, Gordon Evans, said starting a new business during coronavirus was a risk that paid off.
"COVID-19 did postpone our launch, but it's given us a great opportunity to review our training program, update equipment and establish long term relationships with business and people in the community," he said.
Call for patience as businesses scale up
Bundaberg cafe owner, Suzy Evans, said Sunday's announcement had left some businesses racing to be ready to cater for 20 dine-in customers, two weeks ahead of the initial schedule.
"A lot of customers mentioned it yesterday and we were confident in saying 'no, things aren't going to change until two weeks' time. So when I realised I went' 'that's come a little bit quicker than expected!'," she said
Ms Evans hoped customers would be understanding
"Please be patient," she said.
"There's still a lot of businesses out there that just cannot operate under these restrictions."
