This is from ABC today
Bloomfield Crossing reopening reignites tourism
By Nikki Jensen
Updated May 25, 2011 11:00:00
Map:
Cooktown 4871
The
Cooktown Chamber of Commerce says the reopening the
Bloomfield Crossing on
Cape York in far north Queensland to four-wheel drive vehicles has had an immediate impact on tourism.
The crossing, north of
Cape Tribulation near
Cairns, was destroyed during floods in February, cutting access along the main road from
Cairns.
Local businesses say they hope residents from neighbouring regions will return now the crossing has reopened.
Chamber president Max Nulley says access could not have come soon enough for businesses that have been cut off.
"It's been great - it's the start of our main tourist season," he said.
"Having people able to [travel], both private people in four-wheel drives and campers trailers and the like come through the
Bloomfield track and also the tour operators that operate out of
Cairns, is a very welcome piece of news for us all up here.
"Some of the tour operators who specialise in the trips through that track have had almost no business.
"Most other businesses are down in the order of 20 to 50 per cent on volumes compared to this time last year.
"There's definitely been a step change since the track has opened and I think it's just in time."
Tags: business-economics-and-finance, industry, tourism, floods, rural, rural-tourism,
cairns-4870,
cooktown-4871 First posted May 25, 2011 08:51:00