Brisbane tourism to benefit as voucher giveaway gears up

Brisbane’s tourism sector is gearing up for a busy winter as 30,000 prepare to use tourism vouchers as part of the Brisbane Holiday Dollars program.

Brisbane is gearing up for a busy winter with 30,000 people expected to inject much-needed funds into the tourism industry.

The city and surrounding regions are preparing for an influx of visitors as part of the $3 million Brisbane Holiday Dollars program, which runs from June 4 to August 15.

More than 102,000 people entered the competition to win a $100 tourism voucher, which has been allocated to 30,000 people to spend on holiday attractions, tours and accommodation throughout the region.

Tourism operators are anticipating the boost in visitors will counteract the challenges of 2020, which saw visitation fall to half the numbers experienced in 2019 when Brisbane recorded Australia’s fasted tourism growth.

Voucher holders would be able to use them to climb Brisbane’s Story Bridge. Picture: Supplied

With the impact of COVID-19 and the restrictions imposed, domestic tourism spending fell 51.7 per cent, including holiday visits down 47.5 per cent and business travel 57.6 per cent lower in 2020 compared to 2019.

Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said Brisbane has a lot to offer for those preparing to spend their $100 vouchers.

“In 2019, Brisbane led the nation in tourism growth thanks to our hotel expansion boom and this initiative is the boost we need to get our city back to pre-pandemic visitation levels,” he said.

“We know Brisbane is a great place to visit, whether it’s staying in a new five-star hotel, kayaking on the Brisbane River, or dining at a hidden gem in one of our laneways.”

There are more than 150 options available on the Brisbane Holiday Dollars website, with offers from climbing the Story Bridge or a cruise to Stradbroke Island, or an urban retreat in the heart of the city.

For those who won the $100 voucher, bookings must be made by the June 4, with travel up until August 15.