Whitsundays open for business post-Debbie

The Queensland government will target southern states in a million-dollar advertising push to attract tourist to the Whitsundays in the wake of tropical cyclone Debbie.

The state government has partnered with travel giant Flight Centre and Virgin Australia to invest $1 million towards the campaign encouraging visitors to visit the holiday region over winter.

Tourism Minister Kate Jones said the region was open for business, a month after Debbie had caused more than a billion dollars in damage.

"More people visit the Great Barrier Reef through the Whitsundays than any other part of Queensland, which is why it's vital we get the message out to as many Australians as possible that we are open for business," Ms Jones said on a Friday.

Mayor of the Whitsundays Andrew Wilcox said the region had a good Easter period, but they needed more visitors to jump start the local industry.

"We're fixing the place up, and it's rebuilding every day," he said.

As part of the campaign special discount packages will be put in place for anyone spending four or more nights in the Whitsundays, Gold Coast or Tropical North Queensland.