The Palaszczuk Government, in partnership with Brisbane City Council, will extend the state's popular Holiday Dollars program to Brisbane, offering 30,000 travel vouchers for Queenslanders to explore their capital city.
Queenslanders will have three days – 72 hours – to enter the draw for the $100 Brisbane Holiday Dollars vouchers which will allow them to book accommodation and tourism experiences across the city and surrounds.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk said the Brisbane Holiday Dollars campaign was being delivered thanks to a strong partnership between the Queensland Government and Brisbane City Council, via Brisbane Economic Development Agency (EDA).
"This will pump millions of dollars back into our economy and help tourism operators doing it tough," the Premier said.
"We've seen how successful this program has been in Cairns – supporting local businesses and local jobs at a time the industry needs it most.
"Today's announcement will support local jobs and give Queenslanders an even bigger incentive to holiday at home and support their mates.
"We've got 30,000 vouchers worth $100 each up for grabs for Queenslanders to explore Brisbane."
The Premier said registrations for the Brisbane vouchers would open at midday on April 27, giving Queenslanders 72 hours to enter the draw.
"From climbing the story bridge, to immersing yourself in an Indigenous cultural experience or going on an adventure in the Scenic Rim or on the bay – there's something for everyone here in the southeast," she said.
"We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world. If you're taking a break, I encourage you to get out and explore Queensland.
"While today we're launching the Brisbane and Whitsundays Holiday Dollars programs, we're also working closely with the tourism industry on the Gold Coast to develop a similar program that will help to boost revenue for operators in coming months.
"And in coming weeks, you'll see a further push to drive visitors to enjoy tourism experiences in Cairns and the Great Barrier Reef."
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said Brisbane's $3 million expansion of the Holiday Dollars program would benefit hundreds of tourism operators in the Brisbane region.
"Brisbane tourism operators have been hit hard by the closure of the international border," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"Extending the Holiday Dollars program to Brisbane could drive more than $19 million in visitor spending for the capital's tourism industry.
"After the success of Holiday Dollars in Cairns, we're been looking at how the program can help other regions exposed to the international border.
"Now we're giving Queenslanders a chance to explore Brisbane.
"There are plenty of attractions in Brisbane from romantic hinterland escapes in Brisbane's hinterland to river and island tours.
"At this time of year Brisbane really shines."
Mr Hinchliffe said Holiday Dollars was one part of the Palaszczuk Government's comprehensive $800 million tourism support strategy.
"The Palaszczuk Government is working shoulder to shoulder with Queensland tourism to help the industry rebuild and rebuild better for the future," he said.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said as Queensland's capital city, Brisbane continues to evolve with a wave of new tourism infrastructure and offerings including stunning hotels and unforgettable experiences.
"Many Queenslanders know Brisbane as a vibrant modern city that is undergoing continual transformation. I guarantee our region's tourism operators are ready to roll out the red carpet to the rest of the state to showcase just how much our destination has grown," Cr Schrinner said. "This is your chance to experience Brisbane in way you may not have done before, whether it be walking the plank atop the Story Bridge, cruising the Brisbane river, venturing out on the beautiful Moreton Bay or discovering the city's neighbouring regions, all whilst indulging yourself in the vast array of accommodation that can be found across the Brisbane region. "We are absolutely thrilled to partner on this $3 million campaign for Brisbane and invite Queenslanders to rediscover their capital city, and in doing so, flow money into the pockets of our local accommodation and experience operators."
Brisbane Holiday Dollars
- Registrations for Brisbane Holiday Dollars will open to the public at 12:00pm (midday) AEST on Tuesday, 27 April 2021, with 72 hours to get your name in the draw. The draw closes at 11:59am AEST Friday, 30 April 2021.
- Successful recipients will be notified by text and email and have four weeks to make their bookings from 6 May for travel between 6 May and 13 July 2021.
- The vouchers will cover 50 per cent of the cost of the booking with eligible accommodation and tourism experience operators, up to a maximum of $100 (inc. GST).
