- Program will provide 30,000 vouchers valued up to $100
- Vouchers can be used within the Greater Brisbane area
- Comes as JobKeeper ended last month
The Property Council has congratulated both the Brisbane City Council – by far the largest local government in the country with a population of 1.2 million – and the Queensland Government for their Brisbane Holiday Dollars program.
The program will provide 30,000 vouchers to redeem 50% off tours, attractions or accommodation within the Greater Brisbane region up to the value of $100.
This will pump millions of dollars back into our economy and help tourism operators doing it tough,” said Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk during the announcement last week.
“We’ve seen how successful this program has been in Cairns – supporting local businesses and local jobs at a time the industry needs it most.
“(This) announcement will support local jobs and give Queenslanders an even bigger incentive to holiday at home and support their mates.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk, Queensland Premier
The initiative is set to be a boon for local retail and hospitality businesses with Jen Williams, Property Council of Queensland’s Deputy Executive Director, adding the program will create extra momentum and certainty for the industries, especially given Jobkeeper ended last month.
“This is a clear signal from both levels of government that Brisbane is a safe place to work, visit and play, and is very much back open for business.”
“While well ahead of many cities in Australia and around the world in our return to the CBD, we know that the absence of tourists and international students has had a devastating impact on many businesses across the city.
Jen Williams, Property Council QLD
Ms Williams added that the pandemic had resulted in less foot traffic throughout the city centres with the brunt of this being felt by retailers, entertainment precincts and food businesses.
“Attracting tourists – whether local or from further afield – back into the city will help boost the foot traffic and activity needed for businesses to keep their doors open.
“CBDs are the backbone of our economy and rely on tourists, international students and workers as part of their ecosystem.”
The announcement comes as Brisbane will almost certainly become the host city for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games, with the Queensland Government proposing a new billion-dollar redevelopment of The Gabba in time for the Olympics.
