Queensland offers $50 tourism vouchers in $2.5 million boost for storm-affected businesses

Wineries, tour operators, and surf instructors across the Gold Coast region stand to benefit from $2.5 million in state government support funding, as part of a new entertainment voucher system designed to help businesses bounce back from recent extreme weather events.

Visitors and residents in the south-east Queensland region can now secure $50 off a wide range of experiences through the GC Summer FUNds initiative.

It promises to deliver 50,000 vouchers overall, stimulating tourism, entertainment, and hospitality providers whose summer trade was hampered by major storms over the New Year period.

Eligible vendors include Australian Kayaking Adventures, which offers dolphin-spotting tours and sunset expeditions, or board riding lessons in Surfers Paradise from Go Ride A Wave.

Those seeking a low-key getaway can use the voucher for a tour and tasting at Sirromet Winery, while more adventurous tourists can secure $50 off a glow worm tour in O’Reilly’s Rainforest Retreat.

Some passes to larger businesses, like DreamWorld, Warner Bros. Movie World, and Wet ‘n’ Wild, are also covered by the GC Summer FUNds scheme.

The vouchers are valid for experiences undertaken before March 29, 2024.

In a Monday statement, Queensland Premier Steven Miles said particularly harsh weather conditions across Queensland necessitated a response from the state government.

“This summer our tourism operators have been some of the hardest hit here and in Cairns, so it’s time we help them get back on their feet,” he said.

The funding is “good news for the economy, good news for jobs and, of course, good news for tourism operators,” he continued.

The scheme was based on the voucher initiative launched by the former Palaszczuk government in early 2021 when the state’s borders were still largely closed to interstate and international visitors due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“This is a proven strategy that we know works well to get locals and visitors alike exploring their own backyard and the immediate injection will help to stimulate our economic recovery,” Gold Coast Mayor Tom Tate said of the new scheme.

Voucher funding for businesses in south-east Queensland arrives after the launch of discounted interstate and intrastate flights to Cairns through airlines Qantas and Jetstar, jointly funded by the state and federal governments.

That initiative came as part of a $5 million funding boost intended to support businesses affected by Tropical Cyclone Jasper, and an estimated $300 million in canceled bookings between early December and the start of January.

Visitors and residents interested in the GC Summer FUNds initiative can access the comparison website here.