The Queensland Government introduced the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Program to assist businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries that have experienced significant losses due to the covid-19 pandemic.

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

The Queensland Government’s support program also aims to prepare businesses for an expected increase in interstate and international tourists once borders reopen.

The $110 million hardship program will provide grants to eligible businesses in the hospitality and tourism industries, including major tourism attractions and experiences that have suffered financially due to lockdowns and travel restrictions during the pandemic.

The program consists of two different types of grants.

The first is the “Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant,” available to small, medium, and large Queensland tourism and hospitality businesses.

The second is the “Major Tourism Experience Hardship Grant,” intended for major Queensland tourism businesses.

Important Information About the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant

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

To be eligible, a business must have a turnover of at least $75,000 and employ at least one employee within their Queensland operations.

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

Eligible businesses must also have been significantly impacted by covid-19 enforced travel restrictions and interstate lockdowns.

Successful applicants for the first payment can submit their eligibility confirmation for a second payment between Monday 11^th November and Monday 6^th December.

Important Information About the Major Tourism Experiences Hardship Grant

The Major Tourism Experiences Hardship Grant offers up to $4 million to eligible major tourism attractions and experiences in Queensland with an annual turnover of $25 million or more, who have suffered significant financial hardship due to the pandemic.

This funding supports major tourism attractions and experiences, crucial for attracting interstate and overseas travelers to Queensland, providing employment opportunities, and contributing to the state’s economic recovery.

Eligible major tourism businesses will have the opportunity to support Queensland’s economic recovery, continue operations, retain staff, and prepare for the reopening of the state’s borders.

Major tourism businesses that receive funding under this grant will be ineligible for funding under the Tourism and Hospitality Sector Hardship Grant, and vice versa.

Eligible applicants must have an annual turnover of at least $25 million during the 2018-19, 2019-20, or 2020-21 financial years.

For new businesses operating for less than 12 months, financial records must show an annual turnover of at least $25 million for their Queensland operations during the 2021-22 financial year.

Applicants must have experienced a decrease of 50 percent or more in annual turnover for their Queensland operations between 1^st July 2021 and 30^th September 2021 compared to a previous period.