Giant snorkeller invades Sydney Harbour as part of Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s latest campaign

Giant snorkeller invades Sydney Harbour as part of Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s latest campaign

Sydneysiders may have noticed something unusual lurking in Darling Harbour lately.

Don’t worry, giants aren’t invading the city! It’s just Tourism Tropical North Queensland’s (TTNQ) latest bid to inspire Aussies to holiday in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

The activation, a giant blow-up snorkeller, will be floating in Darling Harbour until Saturday as part of TTNQ’s ‘Summer Great. Leave Greater’ campaign supported by Tourism & Events Queensland and Experience Co.

Pedestrians at Cockle Bay will see the eight-metre snorkeller and evening projections on the Australian National Maritime Museum’s roof showcasing the world’s largest and most diverse reef.

TTNQ chief executive Mark Olsen said the campaign aims to encourage holidaymakers to fly to Cairns, where one in five people’s livelihoods depend on tourism.

“Holiday numbers traditionally spike to around 58,500 a day in Cairns and [the] Great Barrier Reef, but the pandemic has seen visitation fall to 8900, so capturing the domestic audience and their pent-up desire to travel has never been more important,” he said.

“With international borders not opening until at least mid-2021, the region is facing a major shortfall in visitation in summer.

“Australians have traditionally travelled to Cairns and [the] Great Barrier Reef to escape their winter with many believing it is too hot and wet in summer, but locals disagree.

“Summer is a very special time of the year in the tropics, as the warm rains arrive to regenerate the world’s oldest rainforest and its waterways, while the winds subside on the Great Barrier Reef resulting in crystal-clear water.

“This summer presents a unique opportunity to experience internationally-famous Cairns as a pure Aussie destination and to see it in a new light during the season when the landscape regenerates and the wildlife is more active.

“Iconic experiences like Skyrail Rainforest Cableway have reopened, new products including the Crystalbrook Collection’s luxury hotel Flynn are ready for guests, and our master reef guides are ready to show you just how special the Great Barrier Reef is.”

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