Overview
Throughout 2021 so far, the Queensland Government has been trying to entice the state's residents out of the house by handing out travel vouchers. First came 15,000 to use in the state's north, then 30,000 for Greater Brisbane and 6000 for The Whitsundays. They were followed by another release of 5000 for folks already holidaying in the Cairns region, and then 30,000 more for Queenslanders heading to the Gold Coast. That's a hefty batch of incentives; however, more are coming — 38,000 more, in fact, as Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk has announced.
For those keen on spending some time on the Gold Coast, in Brisbane or in Cairns, you now have a second chance — with 10,000 on offer for the Goldie, 19,000 for Brissie and 9000 for the Far North. The new vouchers for the first two spots are being distributed to folks who missed out the first time, too. Accordingly, if you entered then but didn't score anything for your troubles, you're automatically in the running now.
The Gold Coast vouchers were allocated yesterday, Sunday, July 11 — and they operate exactly the same way as the first batch. So, recipients receive a $100 voucher to be used on tourism experiences and accommodation in the area. You'll score a 50-percent discount on whatever you're booking, up to $100 maximum, and you need to book by Wednesday, July 21 for use before Friday, September 17.
Keen on a Brissie staycation — or getaway, if you're located elsewhere within Queensland? Those vouchers are being distributed today, Monday, July 12, and are also worth $100. The same rules that were in place for the last Brisbane vouchers — and for the Gold Coast vouchers, as explained above — still apply. This time, though, you need to book and use the vouchers by Sunday, August 15.
And, if you're headed to Cairns soon, you could nab a 50-percent-off voucher just by walking through the airport. They're being given to people who've just gotten to the city — so those already going on holidays up north — with the $200 passes being handed out in the arrivals hall at Cairns Airport.
Like all of the past voucher drops, the ongoing concept has two obvious objectives: enticing Queensland residents to go venturing throughout the state, and helping support tourism businesses. With parts of the Sunshine State going through not one, not two, but three lockdowns so far this year, they're all important aims.
When the first Holiday Dollars scheme was announced back in March, Premier Palaszczuk said that it could keep being rolled out if the vouchers are popular. That's obviously happened quite a few times now, but there's no word as yet about whether other parts of Queensland might be covered in the future — or if these areas of the state will score even more vouchers in the future.
For more information about the Queensland Holiday Dollars program, head to the scheme's website.