New funding and marketing campaign for Far North Queensland tourism businesses

Far North Queensland tourism businesses impacted by ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper will share in $3.7 million funding - aimed at supporting operators who experienced extended isolation with the funding also supporting a new spring marketing campaign to encourage visitors to the tropics.

The funding is drawn from the $29.15 million Tourism Recovery and Resilience Program, jointly funded by the Federal and Queensland Governments through the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements for tourism operators severely impacted as a result of ex-Tropical Cyclone Jasper. Funds for the projects announced today have been made available following undersubscription to the first round of the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants.

The $3.7 million includes:

• Almost $1 million - funding will support an additional 10 recipients for the popular Building Resilient Tourism Infrastructure (BRTI) program, now worth $10.9 million and bringing the total number of funded projects up to 75.

• $1.15 million - additional support for a second round of the Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants with a focus on businesses that were isolated and fully closed to trading for an extended period, enabling businesses to claim support for up to a further four months of isolation.

• $1.5 million - Tourism Tropical North Queensland will receive and co-invest an extra $1 million to launch a $2.5 million spring marketing campaign to encourage visitors to Tropical North Queensland during the low season.

Queensland Tourism Minister Michael Healy noted "we've identified new areas of need and acted quickly, working hand in hand with the Queensland Reconstruction Authority and Australian Government, to re-direct existing funds so they go directly those tourism operators who need it the most.

"Some tourism businesses are still suffering the effects of isolation more than six months after Tropical Cyclone Jasper hit, so this funding of $1.15 million to a new Tourism Exceptional Assistance Grants - Extended Isolation program will help them cover costs like creditors, wages and rent.

"Additionally, another 10 businesses will now be able to receive resilience funding get vital funds to rebuild stronger with flood-resilient infrastructure.

"And the $1.5 million for marketing will be critical for driving domestic visitation back to the Far North and gaining momentum into the next Christmas holiday season."

Tourism Tropical North Queensland Chief Executive Mark Olsen added "Tourism Tropical North Queensland will launch the national campaign in spring to drive visitation across the low season through to May.

"We will work with retail partners to deliver tactical campaigns with an incentive for booking that will bring more than 12,000 people into Cairns at a time when we need them most.

"Tropical North Queensland is experiencing a short peak holiday season after a challenging six months affected by an extended wet season, the domestic market travelling overseas, and slow international recovery.

"This $2.5 million marketing campaign will entice Australians, particularly those from our southern cities, to consider a Tropical North Queensland getaway."

More information on personal disaster assistance can be found at www.qld.gov.au/disasterhelp.