Vacation {Dollars} bonus roll-out to assist tourism restoration

Minister for Development and Innovation of the Tourism Industry and Minister for Sport The Honorable Stirling Hinchliffe

Palaszczuk Government Introduces Bonus Vacation Dollar Vouchers to Help The Queensland Tourism Industry Recover.

Prime Minister Annastacia Palaszczuk said the additional tourism vouchers had been requested from operators and would be delivered as part of the government’s COVID-19 plan for economic recovery.

“Thirty-eight thousand additional vacation dollar vouchers will be released on the Gold Coast, Brisbane and Cairns,” said the premier.

“We saw how successful Holiday Dollars are and how well they support tourism companies.

“Campaigns like this are critical to our economic recovery – they support local jobs and generate more income for businesses.

“More than $ 7 million in bookings have been made in areas where the vacationer programs have been introduced.

“Vacation dollar vouchers are a huge hit with tourism companies.

“They lead visitors directly to their companies, which in turn supports the local communities.

“We want the industry’s economic recovery to continue, and that’s exactly what our Holiday Dollars program aims to do.”

In Cairns, 9,000 visitors to the Cairns Airport Arrivals Hall are already receiving US $ 200.

In addition, 19,000 Brisbane and 10,000 Gold Coast Holiday Dollar vouchers, each valued at US $ 100, will be raffled.

Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Holiday Dollars would help destinations that had lost significant numbers of international visitors to the pandemic.

“The closure of the international border during the pandemic kept Queenslanders safe, but it blew a $ 6 billion hole in the state’s visitor economy,” Hinchliffe said.

“Holiday Dollars encourage Queenslanders to explore more of our own unique backyard.

“When tourism is doing well, whole regions are doing well.

“For every dollar the Palaszczuk government invested in vacation dollars, they returned an average of $ 2.57 to tourism companies and their local economy.

“We also found that voucher visitors are more likely to spend like international tourists by upgrading to premium experiences on reef tours or whale watching boats.

“Vacation dollars mean more visitors who support local jobs and the Palaszczuk government’s COVID-19 economic recovery plan.”

Gaven Member and Environment Secretary Meaghan Scanlon said Queenslanders who missed the first round of the Gold Coast Holiday Dollars will be included in a second drawing.

“We know that Holiday Dollars vouchers were more popular than hot cakes on the Gold Coast,” said Ms. Scanlon.

“The 70,000 Queenslanders who did not receive a voucher in the first drawing will have a second chance at 10,000 new Holiday Dollar vouchers to spend on accommodation or the Gold Coast’s many world-class visitor experiences.

“To date, more than $ 1 million in bookings have been made on the Gold Coast with Holiday Dollars vouchers that offer discounts of 50 percent up to $ 100.”

Patricia O’Callaghan, CEO of Destination Gold Coast, said the additional Gold Coast vouchers would provide a lifeline to operators during an especially difficult time.

“Operators need support more than ever, and this opportunity will give a chance to tourism businesses that are struggling,” said Ms. O’Callaghan.

“We listened to our industry and worked with the Queensland government through Tourism and Events Queensland to respond quickly.

“This is another $ 1 million that we are allocating to the Gold Coast Holiday Dollars program.

“It’s about Queenslanders supporting Queenslanders; Enjoy a short vacation, play on our beaches, explore the hinterland of the rainforest and our attractions and experiences. “

Greg Yong, CEO of Dreamworld, said they are incredibly supportive of the initiative and hope to welcome new voucher recipients to SkyPoint and Dreamworld.

“We love helping create memories, and the Queenslanders will have an unforgettable experience with us on the Gold Coast,” said Yong.

“Quick-hop guests can enjoy Dreamworld’s Extended Weekend of Winterfest Celebrations July 17-18, where Dreamworld becomes a winter wonderland.”

There are 138 Gold Coast Holiday Dollar deals on accommodation and experiences, including an exclusive SkyPoint experience ($ 100 off the SkyPoint Climb and Dine package for two) and a discount on Dreamworld tickets (50% off 1st class travel) Day adult ticket) and much more.

Bookings with Gold Coast Holiday Dollars vouchers can be made until July 21st for use until September 17th.

The Brisbane $ 100 Holiday Dollars campaign will be extended through August 15, with 19,000 vouchers going into a second raffle on Monday, July 12.

Bonus Brisbane Holiday Dollars are available for use on bookings and experiences with 208 Independent Tourism Companies through August 15.

Visitors flying to the far north will receive a US $ 200 voucher upon arrival at Cairns Airport.

Cairns Member and Deputy Tourism Secretary Michael Healy said Holiday Dollar raised $ 2 million for 130 Cairns tourism companies.

“All in all, we have 9,000 vacation dollar vouchers to give operators and our COVID-19 economic recovery plan another much-needed boost,” Healy said.

“We target visitors who get off the plane at Cairns Airport, but we also encourage locals to explore more of our beautiful backyard and continue to support the tourism industry.”

Mark Olsen, chief executive officer of Tourism Tropical North Queensland, said the Cairns Holiday Dollars showed people that vacationing in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef is more than just relaxing in warm weather.

“Walking through the world’s oldest rainforest with a traditional owner or snorkeling the Great Barrier Reef with a Master Reef Guide gives you a deeper look into these World Heritage areas,” he said.

Adam Jones, general manager of Experience Co, said the vouchers had a huge impact on bookings for the company’s reef, rainforest and adventure activities.

“The Cairns Holiday Dollars have given domestic travelers an incentive to go out and do activities that our staff has been busy with during the various lockdowns,” he said.

Daniel Leipnik, owner of the Cairns Aquarium, said he is pleased that the vouchers will be used again to stimulate bookings with many families who choose the family entry package to spend a few hours in the city before their departure.

“The Holiday Dollars initiative resulted in significant uptake of our Aquarium by Twilight guided evening tour and the upgrade to the seafood platter, which was incredibly popular with visitors who want to learn about the nocturnal behavior of reef animals while enjoying the high quality freshness of the area.” Seafood.”

Cairns Holiday Dollars are valid for bookings and visitor experiences through July 30th.

Holiday Dollars give voucher holders a discount of up to 50 percent on tourist experiences, up to US $ 200 (including GST).

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