SOUTHERN couples are fleeing the cold and coming to Cairns for a few days, drawn by a $1 million advertising campaign and cheap accommodation deals.

The "Too Easy" Queensland holiday campaign was rolled out across the state yesterday, targeting travel agents and tourism wholesalers with a range of three for two nights accommodation packages as a lure.

Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said Cairns operators had wholeheartedly backed the discount accommodation packages, more so than in other parts of the state.

"I am pleased to say in the Tropical North our operators didn’t hesitate to back the campaign with three nights for two and there is a huge range of choices for tourists," Ms Boyle said.

The campaign was aimed at couples in southern states and already there had been a huge number of bookings, Ms Boyle said, possibly helped by the severe cold weather that has hit the country in recent days.

Ms Boyle said the campaign targeted couples because of their disposable income and flexibility to be able to take a three or four-day break.

The $1 million funding is part of the tourism industry rescue package which was announced in June after Qantas’ decision to reduce flights from Japan.

A further $1 million will be spent on an international campaign with the remaining $6 million of the joint State/Federal package available as incentives for new airlines.

Meanwhile, Ms Boyle said she expected a review of the Queensland tourism industry to be finalised in the next couple of weeks.

The review is aimed at reducing the number of regional tourism organisations.

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