Tourism Tropical North Queensland handing out $250 travel vouchers to 8000 Australians to holiday in the region

Queensland holiday providers have laid down the gauntlet, with bonus deals totalling $2 million for the first 8000 people to book trips to the state’s north.

Exclusive: Borders may be shut across much of Australia, but the battle for the interstate tourist dollar has begun in earnest.

Queensland holiday providers have laid down the gauntlet, with bonus deals totalling $2 million for the first 8000 people to book trips to the state’s north.

Dubbed the $2 million Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Travel Bonus’ campaign, the unprecedented tourism drive rewards holiday-makers with $250 vouchers for every booking of $1000 to Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef.

The Cairns and Great Barrier Reef Travel Bonus’ campaign is an initiative by Tourism Tropical North Queensland (TTNQ) and funded by the government’s $1 billion Covid-19 Relief and Recovery Fund.

Great Barrier Reef, Queensland, Green Island. Picture: istock

TTNQ Chief Executive Officer Mark Olsen hoped the scheme would help the industry counter Covid-induced losses of $2.5 billion and 6000 local jobs.

“With no international visitors for more than 18 months, tourism businesses have been struggling to provide employment to the one in five people whose jobs depend on tourism in the region,” he said.

“The region needs Australians to visit and enjoy these world-class experiences so operators will be ready to welcome back interstate and international visitors, adding more than $3.5 billion in export dollars to the Australian economy when borders open.”

With the country on track to reach the 70 per cent vaccination target by mid-October, the reopening of interstate borders is within sight.

Sydney couple Gareth Beddoes, 30, and Rosy Cooper, 31, are itching to explore their own backyard by the end of the year once restrictions ease.

Gareth Beddoes and Rosy Cooper are excited to be going on holiday using the QLD Tourism Giveaway. Picture: Tim Hunter

“I don’t think I have ever looked forward to a holiday so much in my life,” Mr Beddoes said.

“We haven’t left NSW in nearly two years and the last few months for everyone has been a bit of a slog, so getting away is just what we need.”

The pair said the travel vouchers would provide a welcome relief to thousands of Australians in need of a break, while boosting the struggling local tourism industry.

“People have had it rough this year, including having holidays and weddings cancelled, and are desperate to get away,” Mr Beddoes said.

“This (voucher initiative) provides those people with a bit of an extra helping hand and can be the difference between getting someone over the line to take the plunge and book a trip up north.

“It’s also important that businesses that rely on tourism are supported as they have suffered significantly at the hands of lockdowns across the country.”

The vouchers, which launched on Saturday, are valid for trips until April 20, 2022.

HOW TO GET A VOUCHER:

People can apply by booking their holiday to Tropical North Queensland through Flight Centre, Viva Holidays or My Queensland. You must spend a minimum of $1000 (excluding flights) to be eligible to receive an extra $250 to spend on a tour activity in the region.

The $250 Travel Bonus voucher is valid from September 18, 2020 until April 20, 2022. For more information go to tropicaltravelbonus.com.

Originally published as Tourism Tropical North Queensland handing out $250 travel vouchers to 8000 Australians to holiday in the region