$70 million in grants announced for tourism industry

One in six jobs are reliant on tourism here on the Gold Coast, so the significance of financial grants and demand-driving programs in addition to the Federal and State Government’s recently announced $54 million emergency support package cannot be understated.

Under the agreed package, $30 million will be targeted at supporting Queensland’s iconic tourism attractions and $40 million will be used to provide a second round of grants to small, medium and large employing tourism and hospitality businesses across the state that received an initial grant from the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program.

Iconic Tourism Grants

Grants of up to $4 million will be available to ensure that major tourism enterprises remain viable and are ready to scale up as visitation returns. Eligibility criteria for the iconic tourism grants will include:

• Being key drivers of significant interstate and/or international tourism, as well as major employers.

• Nationally significant tourism operators and attractions, such as major theme parks and reef tourism operators.

• Demonstrating a 50% reduction in turnover and visitation over the 3 month period from 1 July to 30 September 2021, compared to pre-COVID.

• Businesses to maintain their staff levels through the assistance period, to the end of 2021.

Second Round of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program

A second round of grants of $15,000, $25,000 and $50,000 will be available for small, medium and large employing businesses across the state that have experienced a reduction in turnover of at least 70% for at least seven consecutive days between 1 July and 30 September. Click here for more information on the program.

While we know there is pent-up demand to visit the Gold Coast, targeted Government support is needed to see our industry through these tough times and ahead to the day when vaccinations roll out to hit key milestones and restrictions ease.

We will continue to work with Government as this crisis unfolds to further support our industry.

We thank the Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg, Federal Minister for Trade Tourism and Investment Dan Tehan, Queensland Treasurer Cameron Dick, Queensland Minister for Tourism Industry Development Stirling Hinchliffe and all our members of parliament. Further acknowledgement to our local members Minister Karen Andrews, Minister Stuart Robert, Minister Meaghan Scanlon, Angie Bell and their colleagues for supporting Gold Coast’s tourism sector.

- Destination Gold Coast CEO, Patricia O’Callaghan and Chairman, Paul Donovan