Gold Coast tourism bosses applaud new $100 voucher campaign for 30,000 Queenslanders to boost the sector
Gold Coast tourism operators are applauding a new $100 voucher campaign starting Monday and urged Queenslanders to snap one up to help give the sector a much-needed boost.
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GOLD Coast tourism operators are applauding a new $100 voucher campaign for 30,000 people and urged Queenslanders to snap one up to help give the sector a much-needed boost.
But they believe more can be done to attract visitors, including more aggressive marketing and extending the voucher offer to interstate.
The state government Holiday Dollars voucher scheme – costing $3 million – kicks in from Monday, coinciding with Victoria’s lockdown driving down anticipated interstate visitor numbers.
Aquaduck Gold Coast managing director Sarah Colgate was thrilled by the “fantastic” voucher program. But she wanted more done to bolster visitation in the absence of international tourists.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
“Queensland needs to be more aggressive in its marketing and should also offer the vouchers interstate.
“Unfortunately, Queensland is on the backfoot because of such long border closures. We need visitation now more than ever.”
Ms Colgate also wanted to see more work put into revitalising the tourism hub of Surfers Paradise.
She said Aquaduck was getting about 50-60 per cent of the trade it had before the pandemic.
Village Roadshow theme parks chief operating officer Bikash Randhawa said the vouchers were a “great initiative by Destination Gold Coast” and it was “phenomenal” to have Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk’s support.
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“This is something that is not set and forget. There needs to be a lot more happening over the next 18 months,” he said. “It certainly helps to create meaningful business opportunities for everybody. It’s something we need to continue doing.”
Small bar king Scott Imlach said the vouchers were not for hospitality but there was “no point” as he was “already full to capacity”. He called for one patron per two square metre rules to be lifted.
$3m in tourism vouchers up for grabs
June 3, 2021
IN a plan cooked up over coffee at Gold Coast’s Main Beach, Queenslanders will be shouted a share of $3 million in tourism vouchers in a bid to prop up a pandemic-crippled industry.
The Holiday Dollars program will see the Palaszczuk Government and Destination Gold Coast offer 30,000 vouchers worth $100 each.
It was devised at a high-level pow-wow at Le Jardin cafe with the Premier and Gold Coast Tourism bosses Patricia O’Callaghan and Paul Donovan.
FULL DIGITAL ACCESS: JUST $1 A WEEK FOR THE FIRST 12 WEEKS
Queenslanders will have 72 hours to enter a draw online for the vouchers starting midday on June 7.
Premier Palaszczuk said it was vital for the Coast tourism industry after the affects of the pandemic: “Campaigns like this are an important part of our economic recovery plan.
“From world-class beaches to the beautiful hinterland, our theme parks and renowned shopping and night-life precincts, the Gold Coast has something for everyone,” she said.
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Destination Gold Coast CEO Patricia O’Callaghan said the support from the Government and their Holiday Dollars program would let Queenslanders explore what the region had to offer.
“This will provide to a much-needed boost to operators especially those who are heavily reliant on international visitors,” Ms O’Callaghan said.
“It will be instrumental in helping to shape recovery for our 4600 tourism businesses.
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“Previous iterations of the program have been a success and we are hoping Queenslanders will get behind Gold Coast tourism operators. We hope to see visitors extend their length of stay on the Gold Coast and spread visitor spend throughout the region.
“Now is the time to reconnect and relax with loved ones and friends on the Gold Coast.
Destination Gold Coast employees are ineligible but Ms O’Callaghan said she would recommend “paddle boarding or surf lessons”.
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said they worked hand-in-hand with the tourism industry to create the program.
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“We know the loss of overseas visitors continues to be felt on the Gold Coast.
“That’s why the Holiday Dollars initiative is designed to encourage Queenslanders to indulge in a world-class Gold Coast visitor experience and support local operators when they really need it.
He said tourism operators from previous Holiday Dollar programs had only given positive feedback.
“We’re also expecting a big boost in visitor confidence on the Gold Coast because that’s been the experience where Holiday Dollars have been rolled out,” Mr Hinchliffe said.
Minister for the Environment and Member for Gaven Meaghan Scanlon said the program will result in a long-lasting boost for Gold Coast tourism.
“The Palaszczuk Government’s Holiday Dollars initiative comes at just the right time for both tourism operators and families preparing for a school holiday getaway,” Ms Scanlon said.
Visit the Gold Coast Holiday Dollars page online at Queensland.com for more information.
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