Gold Coast to receive multi-million-dollar tourism support package

ABC NEWS (Australia)

The Queensland government has launched a multi-million-dollar tourism support package for the Gold Coast to help the region still reeling from the deadly Christmas storms.

Transcript

00:00 Thrill-seeking from the skies is just one experience the Gold Coast has to offer.

00:07 But weeks of bad weather has left this skydiving business grounded.

00:13 A really tough season to be honest.

00:15 The weather's been, it's gruelled a lot of businesses on the Gold Coast unfortunately.

00:19 Something that we didn't really expect.

00:21 Hundreds of operators across the South East say they're only just recovering

00:27 after the deadly Christmas storms.

00:30 It's been challenging to say the least.

00:33 We've had quite a few cancellations.

00:35 Sort of last minute people get up, look at the weather and bail.

00:39 In a bid to boost the sector, the State Government has pledged a cash injection

00:44 of $2.5 million.

00:46 From today, South East Queenslanders can access 50,000 vouchers.

00:51 Each of those vouchers is worth $50.

00:54 The vouchers can be used on attractions and local businesses like water sports

00:59 and theme parks.

01:00 Something even the Premier's making the most of.

01:04 80% of our tourism products are mum and dad operators

01:07 and they need that strong support.

01:09 And as the Premier highlighted, during those weather events,

01:12 a lot of those businesses were severely challenged.

01:15 The industry says the timing couldn't be better.

01:18 It's been a little bit of a juggle because we're taking cancellations

01:22 and trying to postpone activities.

01:25 This funding injection has come at a critical point

01:29 for the tourism industry.

01:31 In the final week of school holidays, providers are grateful

01:35 for any help they can get.

01:37 Trying to weather the storm, pardon the expression,

01:40 but we just want to get out there and do what we do

01:42 and do what we do best.

01:44 A lifeline for businesses on their knees.

01:47 Please.

01:47 [BLANK_AUDIO]

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