<div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>As Queensland's south-east starts to return to normality following ex-Cyclone Alfred, a major marketing campaign is about to rollout to aid the region's recovery.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>'Brisbane Favours the Bold' will launch next week, aiming to drive visitation back to the Sunshine State and inject millions into the economy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The city is back open for business - that's the message from both the local and state governments in the aftermath of Alfred, teasing a new tourism campaign.</span></div></div><div><div id="adspot-mobile-medium"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/probe-looking-into-deaths-of-water-polo-coach-lilie-james-and-partner-sydney/b441768b-09c0-4f90-a14a-1b4942f12cd1" target="_blank"><strong><span>Ex-lover 'carefully planned' water polo coach's murder at school</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The south-east of the state was ravaged by rain, strong winds and destructive flooding, with local businesses taking a financial hit too.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Ex-Tropical Cyclone Alfred dealing a mighty $68 million blow.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Aviation was turned off, the Port of Brisbane had to close down, our hotel bookings fell off a cliff," Brisbane Economic Development Agency chief executive Anthony Ryan said.</span></div></div><div><div class="OUTBRAIN" data-reactroot="" data-src="//www.9news.com.au/national/cyclone-alfred-brisbane-gold-coast-queensland-tourism/3f3586ab-bad3-47fe-9914-3d1ccda97710" data-widget-id="AR_5"></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"What we saw right from the outset was about a 40 per cent immediate decrease in in our hotel bookings."</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Council and the state government are splashing out $2.5 million dollars to aid recovery efforts.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/jury-unable-to-reach-verdict-in-toyah-cordingley-murder-trial/dc0e8af1-8339-4b5f-bed0-1371d6190a94" target="_blank"><strong><span>Jury unable to reach verdict in Toyah Cordingley murder trial</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>It's all part of a new tourism blitz to bring visitors back to Brisbane.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"Queensland's open for business, Brisbane is open for business, and we want tourists, regardless of where they come from, to flock back to this part of the world," Tourism Minister Andrew Powell said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Tourism brings in $95m a day and supports one in 12 jobs, he said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The campaign showcases the very best of the river city.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Unique experiences like Beer Yoga along Brisbane River at the iconic Howard Smith Wharves are among fresh attractions.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/national/surfers-report-feeling-infected-as-yellow-foam-washes-up-on-popular-beach/40aec73e-ec1d-4d43-9bcc-7861228d6736" target="_blank"><strong><span>'Deadly' sea foam infects more than 100 surfers</span></strong></a></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>NRL's Magic Round will also be a big pull.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said special sales are also planned especially in the lead up to Easter.</span></div></div><div class="styles__Wrapper-sc-2o34ro-0 cmwkBV"><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><a href="/content/2025/03/04/14/44/tropical-cyclone-alfred-update-photos"><img alt="Many dead or dying fish have washed up on shore of Richmond River in Ballina NSW, blackwater ex-Cyclone Alfred. " sizes="(min-width: 1024px) 636px, (min-width: 768px) 396px, 100vw" src="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/vt8eqUPdT1HHHinbWcQwS2bB6c0=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F815f0280-bc33-4b54-9af4-b1c4178b1b7d" srcset="https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/vt8eqUPdT1HHHinbWcQwS2bB6c0=/396x223/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F815f0280-bc33-4b54-9af4-b1c4178b1b7d 396w, https://imageresizer.static9.net.au/aDi3i06ZLFr2jGkLSWnEdk6ukSA=/636x358/https%3A%2F%2Fprod.static9.net.au%2Ffs%2F815f0280-bc33-4b54-9af4-b1c4178b1b7d 636w"/></a></div><div class="styles__Column-sc-2o34ro-3 jJDKrX"><div class="styles__Headline-sc-2o34ro-4 hpbOlz">Thousands of NSW fish deaths expected due to cyclone 'blackwater'</div><div class="styles__Button-sc-2o34ro-1 eBjlmW"><a class="styles__ButtonLink-sc-2o34ro-2 hqpklJ" href="/content/2025/03/04/14/44/tropical-cyclone-alfred-update-photos">View Gallery</a></div></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>"There's some amazing deals that are being offered both with the airlines, with hotels, with tourism operators," Schrinner said.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The three major airlines are jumping on board launching sales on flights to and from Queensland over the next four weeks.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><span>The campaign kicks off on Monday and is expected to inject tens of millions of dollars into the local economy.</span></div></div><div class="block-content"><div class="styles__Container-sc-1ylecsg-0 goULFa"><strong><span>READ MORE:</span></strong><span> </span><a href="https://www.9news.com.au/world/israel-hamas-israel-says-it-is-carrying-out-extensive-strikes-in-gaza/87f29738-69a1-464a-adad-c2152cff80ad" target="_blank"><strong><span>Gaza truce shatters as Israel carries out 'extensive' strikes</span></strong></a></div></div>