$200 Queensland travel vouchers now available for application.
Applications have become available for the Queensland government's travel voucher program following Treasurer Josh Frydenberg's statement that the government was just days away from announcing a targeted aid package to replace JobKeeper.
As Mr Frydenberg arrived in Cairns to commence a "listening tour" of local businesses, the Palaszczuk government declared that it would distribute 15,000 vouchers valued at up to $200 to Queenslanders who book qualifying tourism experiences in Tropical North Queensland.
Branded as "Cairns Holiday Dollars," the travel vouchers will cover 50 percent of the cost of tourism activities, up to a maximum of $200, and can only be used once between March 15 and June 25.
This program is exclusively available to Queenslanders aged 18 and over, and the distribution of vouchers will be determined by a lottery system. Applications for the program opened at 12 pm on Monday.
Visitors are limited to claiming only one voucher per person, and the application period will close at 12 pm on Thursday, according to the list of frequently asked questions provided by the Queensland government.
Tourist experiences that qualify for the program include visits to the Great Barrier Reef, guided tours of the region, bungee jumping, spa treatments, scenic flights, and admission to wildlife parks, zoos, and aquariums.
To apply for the vouchers, click here.
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Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk explained that Tropical North Queensland was selected as the initial region to participate in the program due to the severe impact it has faced as a result of the travel restrictions on international visitors.
"We want to ensure that people in all parts of Queensland have the opportunity to enjoy tropical far north Queensland, but more importantly, let's assist those who require the most help," she informed reporters on Sunday.
The governments of Victoria, South Australia, and New South Wales are implementing similar programs to aid in the recovery of their economies after the recession caused by the pandemic.
These announcements coincide with the completion of a targeted aid package by the federal government, aimed at supporting struggling tourism operators once JobKeeper concludes on March 28.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg stated that it is only a matter of days until the government unveils a post-JobKeeper tourism package. He said, "We are still finalizing the details, but it is only a matter of days. These are significant matters that we have been working on for a considerable amount of time. What I have heard from some businesses that I have met is that some are thriving while others are facing more challenges. Therefore, it is crucial that we provide support to those in need while also creating opportunities for those who are doing well to hire more employees, which will benefit people across the country."
Chief executive of the Tourism and Transport Forum (TTF), Margy Osmond, released a statement on Monday stating that the organization has had productive and detailed face-to-face discussions with Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and Tourism Minister Dan Tehan in recent weeks.
"We are confident that our concerns and potential support options are being carefully considered during this critical time," Ms. Osmond remarked.
According to a statement by the TTF, research conducted by Stafford Strategy on their behalf determined that over one third of tourism regions in Australia witnessed a decline of at least 40 percent in visitor numbers during the twelve months leading up to September 31, 2020.

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