But while overall visitor numbers were still down in Queensland, the state’s domestic tourism is showing a strong recovery.

Federal Government data showed visitor numbers for January were down 11 per cent in Queensland compared with January 2020, but visitor nights were up and spending was only fractionally behind at $2.1 billion for the month. NSW had a stronger level of recovery, but this was believed to be because of the impact from bushfires in 2020.

What’s missing is international tourism for which there are no meaningful figures, as yet.

But the data also showed spending in regional centres remains more popular than the cities in what was considered to be lingering hangover from the pandemic.

With Easter looming the tourism sector has been praying for fine weather and a throng of tourists after two years of trampled expectations.

A survey from the Australian Retailers Associations showed about $7.1 billion was expected to be spent over the Easter period on tourism and travel.

Of those planning to go away this Easter, 63 per cent would be travelling within their own state, 34 per cent would travel interstate and 3 per cent would head overseas.

There were also three long weekends in April.

Central Queensland operators are reporting bookings that would translate to a 90 per cent occupancy for Easter, while the tropical north was at 88 per cent and the Gold Coast at 78 per cent.

But a recovery for national tourism sector appears a long way off with the Federal Government data for January showing there was 9.2 million overnight trips in the month, which was down 13 per cent on January 2020. Preliminary data for February and March showed it to be tracking along at the same rate as 2021.

The spending in Queensland for January was down 28 per cent on March 2020 while visitor numbers were down 29 per cent.

Interstate travel trended higher in January because of the loosening of border restrictions, but the results were still well below pre-Covid.

Brisbane Airport said more than 51,800 passengers were scheduled to use the domestic terminal today, making it the busiest day for domestic travel in more than two years.

Brisbane Airport Corporation’s Rachel Bronish said it was wonderful to see so many people at the airport.

“We are incredibly excited to see the terminal’s concourses and halls full of travellers once again,” she said.

“The Easter school holiday period is proving to be hugely successful for tourism with people exploring their country and visiting loved ones, but with that comes some challenges.

“As the aviation industry continues to ramp up, our partners across security screening, food and beverage, retail, and the airlines face the challenge of training additional staff to meet the demand, so passengers should expect longer processing times at the airport.

“We remind the travelling public to please plan ahead and allow plenty of extra time to get to, and through, the airport, and to be courteous and respectful to each other, and to airport staff who will be doing their very best to get passengers up and away on time.”

The airport’s AIRPARK 2 launched last week, opening up an additional 2200 car parking spaces for domestic travellers.