Boom time for Whitsunday Coast Airport

Virgin Australia has announced 10 extra flights for the Whitsunday Coast Airport which is sure to impress the city-bound traveller.

 Five early in the morning from Proserpine to Brisbane and five returning each weekday afternoon will be added to the flight schedule bringing the number of flights to 24 every week.

Mayor Mike Brunker hinted at the exciting announcement during his cocktail party at the airport on Saturday night, but couldn’t elaborate on the details.

Whitsunday Coast Airport’s business and marketing manager Scott Waters said it was a real shot in the arm for tourism and mining.

“We are currently working with two private companies for the lease of the land at the airport which have an aviation scope but in the broader sense include mining,” Mr Waters said.

“What this means for the region is jobs and diversification utilising the airport to achieve that.”

Member for Whitsunday Jan Jarratt said she was proud of the final product that is the redeveloped Whitsunday Coast Airport terminal.

“It’s a fresh, modern welcome mat to our region that allows visitors and locals to travel more comfortably and more efficiently.”

“This significant investment sends a signal to the airlines that we are a serious player in the tourism sector.”

“This region bats well above its weight and I expect to get the details of new flight commitments from Virgin Australia very soon.”

Whitsunday Coast Airport's new branding takes off

 The redevelopment of the Whitsunday Coast Airport reached a milestone last week with the revelation of new branding and further funds for a comprehensive marketing campaign.

 Whitsunday Coast Airport business development manager Scott Waters said he was “very excited” to have the facility’s new logo unveiled by the acting premier, tourism minister and mayor.

 Mr Waters described the new branding as “basically the council logo and existing vibrant colours with aviation themes incorporated into it and also a new tag “gateway to the Whitsundays and coalfields”, which very much represents inbound and outbound travel”.

 “This gives us a new beginning. It shows we’re a region on the rise from an aviation perspective. Our tourism industry is a very strong story and one we will continue to tell but we also need to encapsulate where we sit from an economic perspective,” Mr Waters said.

 “This (airport) is the key gateway for the entire Whitsunday region and we can also be a launch pad into the Bowen basin and future Galilee basin as well,” he said.

 Acting premier Andrew Fraser announced a further injection of $80,000 in marketing money, on top of the $7million already spent on upgrading the Whitsundays’ “welcome mat”.

 Tourism minister and Whitsunday MP Jan Jarratt said this was “aviation history in the making”.

 “Just as we have rejuvenated the airport itself, it was imperative to rejuvenate the airport’s image,” Ms Jarratt said.

 “This logo gives a dynamic and professional impression, letting the major players in aviation know we are serious about increasing services and connectivity to the Whitsundays.

 Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Mike Brunker said the appointment of a business development officer was already paying dividends.

 “Scott’s only been in the hot seat for a few weeks, but he hasn’t missed a trick,” Cr Brunker said.

 “Now we’ll be working together on short, medium and long-term growth strategies for our airport,” he said.

New Airport Manager for the Whitsunday Coast Airport

An early morning flight from Proserpine to Brisbane, and returning that evening, will be one of the top priorities for the airport’s new business development manager Scott Waters when he steps into his new role next week.

 Whitsunday Regional Council announced Mr Waters’ appointment early last week, with Mayor Mike Brunker saying he was thrilled to secure one of the state’s most experienced marketing executives for such a vital role in the Whitsundays.

 The high Australian dollar, a massive decline in tourists flying into the Whitsundays, and upwards of 50 businesses closing their doors across the region over the past few months prompted council to seek the services of an experienced networking manager to start building relationships that could potentially secure the economic future of the region.

 Mr Waters’ role begins on September 19, but he has already started a conversation that could take the Whitsundays to a whole new level in tourism.

 "My key priority will be to secure an early morning flight – perhaps two – from Proserpine to the capital city. I just have to help the airlines understand the strength of the market here, show them how many passengers are leaking to Mackay or Townsville for their flights. But our scope is far greater than this. With the help of the community, I plan to work in with the industries that are booming, like the mining industries and economic interest from China, and start conversations there.

 "There is such a huge amount of potential on the business events side of things with the Chinese plus the possibility of offering R&R getaways for miners. Our possibilities are endless."

 Mr Waters has extensive experience in the aviation, travel and tourism industries and more recently as general manager of destination marketing and development with Townsville Enterprise.

 Enthusiastic about his role and particularly inspired by the opportunity to return home, Mr Waters met with the Guardian to talk about his new role.

 "I grew up in the Mackay/Whitsunday region, so coming home is a huge attraction for me and my family," he said.

 "I know this industry very well and I have a lot of contacts. Its important for the airport to be a part of the community and that will be one of my key focuses," he said.

Premier visits Whitsunday Coast Airport at Proserpine

 Premier Anna Bligh has personally inspected the Whitsunday Coast Airport in Proserpine, to see firsthand how the airport’s upgrade is progressing.

 “This airport is so important because it is the first glimpse of the region and first impressions really count,” Ms Bligh said.

 Ms Bligh said from this week locals would be seeing a big change with the opening of stage one’s new check-in section.

 “The room is modern, filled with light, and spacious. The Whitsundays deserves this upgrade,” she said.

 After the state’s announcement that Abu Dhabi would donate $30 million to flood and cyclone relief, the Premier said discussions were being held this week to determine the best place for a shelter in the Whitsundays.