Queensland tourism industry to benefit from $70 million in joint Federal state grants package

The Federal and Queensland Governments have reached agreement to further target $70 million from the State and Federal Governments’ $600 million support package to boost support for tourism and hospitality businesses who continue to face significant hardship.

Under the agreed package, $30 million from the State and Federal Governments $600 million support package will be targeted at supporting Queensland’s major 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 to tourism operators

• Demonstrating a 50% reduction in turnover and visitation over the three month period from 1st July to 30th 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 1st July and 30th September.

As described above, major tourism enterprises that receive an iconic tourism grant will not be eligible to receive a further grant under the Second Round of the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program.

Announcing the funding, Queensland Treasurer, Cameron Dick stated “because we have successfully kept COVID out of our state, Queenslanders are free to travel within Queensland and support tourism businesses.

“Our borders are also open to tourists from South Australia, Western Australia, Tasmania and the Northern Territory.

“However, with international border closures, and markets from New South Wales and Victoria closed off due to the ongoing COVID outbreaks, our tourism industry continues to suffer impacts from the pandemic”

“National Cabinet continues to consider evidence as to when travel can occur safely and more freely, and these grants will help the tourism industry retain strength until that time.”

Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg said the package comes on top of the Federal Government's more than $30.2 billion in direct economic support to Queensland households and businesses since the start of the pandemic, noting “the (Federal) Government understands the significant impact lockdowns and border closures have had on business, but especially on those in the tourism sector in Queensland.

"This key funding is a part of our joint $600 million commitment with the Queensland Government, for small and medium sized businesses.

"A successful, growing and vibrant Queensland tourism industry depends on all Australians doing the right thing and getting vaccinated.  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 up as we reach our vaccination targets of 70 to 80%.”

Federal for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business at Movie World
Following the announcement, Federal Minister for Employment, Workforce, Skills, Small and Family Business, Stuart Robert attended Warner Bros. Movie World where he spoke with Village Roadshow Group Chie Executive Clark Kirby.

Kirby stated “we want to just be able to open our gates to all of Australia, to be able to start bringing more people on, even creating more jobs than we ever have before.”

For more information on the program go to Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program go to the Federal Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport website at dtis.qld.gov.au.

Image: Warner Bros. Movie World.