How Toowoomba businesses can claim share in $130m funding

In a bid to bolster an industry hit extremely hard by the pandemic, the Federal Government has announced a new, $130m funding initiative that Toowoomba businesses can get in on today.

A portion of a $130 million grant will be given to travel agents across the Darling Downs in a bid to bolster the industry, which has been strained since the pandemic.

Groom MP Garth Hamilton said local travel agents could apply for funding support during the second rounds of the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program, which opens later in April.

Eligible travel agents and tour operators in Groom who have received a payment under Round One may be entitled to a second payment, ranging between $7500 and $100,000.

To be eligible for the funding, the businesses must:

– Have been operating a travel agent, inbound tour operator or tour wholesaler business prior to the announcement of the closure of international borders, and are continuing to operate that business;

– Have a turnover of between $50,000 and $20 million (or between $500,000 and $200 million Total Transaction Value – TTV) for the 2019 calendar year; and

– Have been in receipt of the JobKeeper extension (28 September 2020 to 28 March 2021).

“The Coalition Government has committed $258 million to support our travel agents through the COVID-19 Consumer Travel Support Program,” Mr Hamilton said.

“Our Government provided $128 million in Round One to support some 3000 travel agents who continued to serve their customers.

“We are now providing additional support via Round 2 and I encourage local travel agents to check their eligibility and apply for funding.

“Our support for travel agents complements the $1.2 billion aviation and tourism support package which was designed to get domestic tourists spending and follows the successful JobKeeper program.

“We can all support our local travel agents in Groom by using their services when booking a holiday this year.”

Businesses found to have received a payment based on TTV in Round One that was greater than they would otherwise have received if the payments for Round One and Two were calculated on turnover, will not be eligible for a Round Two payment.