Coral Sea Marina Resort (CSMR) in Whitsundays, Australia, has launched “From our Family to Yours”, a campaign video supporting small tourism businesses that are struggling due to the coronavirus pandemic.

Whilst the Whitsundays region has had its fair share of adversity over the past few years, the community has always shown incredible resilience and determination, and even more so during the pandemic. The motive behind making the campaign video was based on the importance of family support in the last few challenging months.

The pandemic has brought people together in unexpected ways and has shown just how important connections such as friendship and family are. For the team at CSMR, it has highlighted an opportunity to bring together operators, and in many cases, competitors, in a united marketing campaign.

CSMR is home to more than 60 award-winning marine tourism operators who have spent years building their reputations across the globe. With the current restrictions on international travel, the future of these small tourism businesses is now solely reliant upon Australians supporting their own.

“From our Family to Yours” is an invitation to all Australians to come and visit the Whitsundays region, connect with family and friends, and offer support to the family-owned businesses that call CSMR home.

“This campaign was born from a need for us to look after our own and support them as best as we can during these challenging times. We wanted to shine a light on our slice of paradise and the real people behind the family-owned marine tourism businesses who work tirelessly to provide our visitors with incredible experiences,” explained CEO of CSMR, Kate Purdie.

“One in three jobs in Airlie Beach is directly related to tourism and more than 600 people come to work at Coral Sea Marina every week,” she said. “If you choose to make your next holiday destination the Whitsundays, you won’t be helping just one business, you will be helping our entire community.”

Joscelyn O’Keefe, marina marketing, sales & service manager, explained, “With so many of our operators usually reliant on international tourism, our message is clear - it is time for Australians to explore Australia! We know we have the best tourism operators in the business, and we are incredibly proud they call our marina home. This campaign is aimed at spreading that message far and wide throughout Australia, so we can increase visitation to the Whitsunday region over the next 12 months.”

With a 520-berth marina, 77-room boutique hotel and vibrant resort village, CSMR is considered a premium holiday destination on the Queensland coast. As the only 5 Gold Anchor Platinum Accredited marina in Queensland, CSMR is a highly rated destination to stay, play and explore the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef.

O’Keefe added, “We urge Australians to share our video with their family and friends and be inspired for a Whitsunday holiday. We are extending an invitation from our family to yours and we are ready to welcome you.”

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