The Commonwealth and Queensland Governments have reached agreement to further target $70m from the State and Federal Governments $600m support package to boost support for Queensland’s major tourism and hospitality businesses who continue to face significant hardship.
Under the agreed package, $30 million from the State and Federal Governments $600m support package 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 major 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 per cent for at least seven consecutive days between 1 July and 30 September.
As described above, major tourism enterprises that receive a iconic tourism grant will not be eligible to receive a further grant under the Second Round of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program.
Assistant Minister for Regional Tourism Michelle Landry said this package comes over and above the Coalition Government’s more than $30.2 billion in direct economic support to Queensland households and businesses since the start of the COVID-19 pandemic.
“The Coalition Government understands the substantial impact lockdowns and border closures have had on business, but especially on those in the tourism sector in Queensland. A successful Queensland tourism industry depends on all Australians getting vaccinated.
“All state and territory governments must also hold up their end of the bargain and stick to the plan agreed at National Cabinet that will see restrictions ease and our borders open as we reach our vaccination targets of 70 to 80 per cent.
“Our considerable investment will provide financial support to Queensland tourism businesses to help ensure the industry is ready to rebound as soon as our nation eases restrictions and as soon as our vaccination rates hit key milestones,” Ms Landry said.
For more information on the program go to: Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program | Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (dtis.qld.gov.au)
