Sydneysiders head to Cairns

Wednesday, July 23, 2008

Figures from lastminute.com.au show bookings to Cairns increased by more than 80 per cent from the same time last month.

Cairns was a popular escape for Sydneysiders who were not as keen to see the Pope as the Catholic pilgrims.

Figures from lastminute.com.au show bookings to Cairns increased by more than 80 per cent from the same time last month.

The surge in bookings provided a welcome boost for the tourism industry, after the Qantas cutbacks and general slowdown.

Thousands of pilgrims also stopped off in the Far North for some rest and relaxtion before and after the World Youth Day celebrations.

The lastminute.com.au figures show Brisbane and the Gold Coast also benefited.

"Bookings by Sydneysiders to key destinations around Australia skyrocketed as we saw a surge of people desperate to escape the mayhem surrounding World Youth Day," said Angie Bohlmann of lastminute.com.au.

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