Tourism operators in Northern Queensland hit by January’s (2019) floods will be given a hand, with a $5 million stimulus and recovery package.
The Tourism Recovery Program is jointly funded by the Commonwealth and Queensland Governments under the Disaster Recovery Funding Arrangements.
Federal Minister for Natural Disaster and Emergency Management David Littleproud said the Program would bring tourist back to flood-hit areas.
“This will both bring business to town right now and make sure the industry is ready for future disasters,” Minister Littleproud said.
“Tourism is a big part of regional economies – its recovery will drive the community’s recovery.
“We’re boosting the Outback Tourism Education Programme, giving schools up to $150 per student so they can take them on a trip to flood-hit areas.
“We’re also making sure tourism business have the know-how to get through disasters and back on their feet with the Tourism Business Resilience Program.
“This will make sure tourism businesses can get back to work quickly after a disaster.”
Queensland Minister for Innovation and Tourism Industry Development Kate Jones said the funding program was specifically targeted to support the recovery of areas of the state that rely heavily on tourism and help them plan for future disasters.
“This is about getting local businesses get back on their feet and helping tourism operators to prepare for damaging weather events in the future,” Ms Jones said.
“Thousands of families in these flood ravaged areas rely on the tourism industry to put food on the table. This program has been specially designed to have an immediate impact and drive longer-term benefits for locals.
“Communities in North and North West Queensland were devastated by the February (2019) floods, which is why funding like the tourism recovery program is so important for local businesses.”
The recovery program will be delivered over two years through four different programs—Event Resilience and Sustainability; Regional Queensland Tourism Product and Expanded Infrastructure Resilience; Tourism Business Resilience Program; and the Outback Tourism Education Boost.
Source: Australian Government