The tourism and hospitality sector, applications opened on Monday 11^th October for the brand new “Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant” an initiative arranged by the Queensland Government to support Queensland businesses in the hospitality and tourism sectors that have been impacted by the covid-19 pandemic as a result of ongoing lockdowns and border closures. The initiative also aims to prepare businesses in the sector for an influx of interstate and international tourists when the borders reopen in the foreseeable future.

This grant will provide up to $100,000 for eligible operators within the industries of tourism and hospitality who have been subjected to major financial hardship during the covid-19 pandemic.

For a business to be eligible they have a turnover of at least $75,000 and employ at least 1 employee within their Queensland operations.

Eligible businesses must have also experienced a decline of at least 70 percent in turnover for their Queensland operations over a period of 7 consecutive days between 1^st July 2021 and 30^th September 2021 when compared to the same period in either 2018-19, 2019-20 or 2021-22.

Eligible businesses must have also experienced a significant impact as a result of covid-19 enforced travel restrictions and interstate lockdowns.

Types of Businesses That Are Eligible

To be deemed eligible businesses must be defined as a tourism or hospitality business under the eligible ANZSIC codes.

The code includes businesses such as; accommodation, cafes and restaurants, takeaway food services, catering services, pubs, taverns and bars, clubs, water passenger transport, scenic and sightseeing transport, travel agencies and tour arrangement services, museum operation, zoological and botanic gardens operation, nature reserves and conservation parks operation, performing arts operation, performing arts venue operation, amusement parks and centres operation.

The businesses applying for the grant is also deemed eligible if its primary activity and business description is an activity listed in the below ANZSIC class codes and the organisation applying can demonstrate the predominant clients for the organisation’s primary activity are tourists.

This includes; Art gallery operation, Souvenir shop, Tour bus, Private transfer and limousine services, Passenger Car Rental and Hiring, Rental or hiring of boats, buses, caravans, houseboats, motorcycles, motorhomes without crew, Tourism development consulting service, Arts promotion, booking agency, conference management service, corporate event organisation, Entertainment promotion, event management service, events booking agent, events consulting service, events management, Functions booking agent, promotion of music festivals, sport and similar event promotion, Sports ticketing, theatre/concert booking, theatre promotion, theatre ticket agency, Tourist bureau service, tourism information centre, Trade display services, wedding planner.

Abseiling adventure, Bungy jumping operation, Bush walking operation, Camel trek tours, Canyoning adventure operation, Cave diving operation, Horse-riding and night camping tours, Jet boat river rafting operation, Outdoor adventure operation, Para-gilding and para-sailing adventure tours, White water rafting operations and tours.

Businesses That Are Ineligible From The Tourism And Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant

• Businesses or non-profit organisations that are not trading in a Queensland based location
• Businesses or non-profit organisations whose only source of income is one or more of the following: earnings from rental properties; interest earned on investments; or dividends.
• Businesses and non-profit organisations that have already been approved for a Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant (i.e., only one (1) grant will be approved for an eligible applicant).
• Non-employing businesses and businesses only utilising contractors (i.e., do not have staff on payroll).
• Businesses and non-profit organisations not operating under an eligible ANZSIC codes or supplementary ANZSIC codes.
• Businesses or non-profit organisations operating under a supplementary ANZSIC code but cannot demonstrate the predominant clients its primary activity are tourists.
• A government entity, including any tourism entity owned by a local, state or federal government.
• Regional and local tourism organisations.
• Industry representative associations and organisations.
• Businesses that have received grant funding under the Major Tourism Experiences Hardship Grant.

Applicants who are successful in receiving their first payment can submit their eligibility confirmation for their second payment between Monday 11^th November and Monday 6^th December.

The money distributed to successful applicants will be made in two equal payments. To receive the Second Payment, approved applicants need to provide confirmation that as at 8 November 2021 the entity is still employing at least one employee in their Queensland operations; remains solvent; and is currently trading from a premises that is located in Queensland.

Application forms must be submitted electronically and will not be accepted in a physical form.

Applications can be submitted via the Queensland Government’s Department of Tourism, Innovation and Sport (DTIS).

Applications opened on Monday 11^th October 2021 and will close on Monday 22^nd November 2021.