Email notifications have dropped into the inboxes of 15,000 Queensland winners of 'Cairns Holiday Dollars' vouchers to pay half the cost of holiday experiences in the Far North up to $200.
Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk will today meet Sarah Woods from Port Douglas who won a voucher, as well as local operators Sailaway, Outback Tasting Tours and Back Country Bliss, all of whom have already accepted bookings from voucher winners.
"This program will support local jobs and pump millions of dollars back into the local economy here in the Far North," the Premier said.
"The response from Queenslanders has been absolutely overwhelming.
"We know that people want to escape to the Far North for a holiday. Today is proof that this scheme is converting demand into bookings for our tourism operators, which is exactly what we want to see.
"Regardless whether you won a voucher or not, I'm encouraging all Queenslanders to support struggling tourism operators in the Far North in 2021.
"From the Reef to the Rainforest through to great destinations like Port Douglas, there's something for everyone here in the Far North. Please book a holiday and back local jobs."
Tourism Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Cairns Holiday Dollars initiative would generate around $14 million in the coming months for the Far North's economic recovery from COVID-19.
"More than 106,000 applied for a voucher which shows Cairns is Queensland's place to be," Mr Hinchliffe said.
"The Palaszczuk Government's Cairns Holiday Dollars are already having a positive effect on business bottom lines with bookings surging from Queenslanders looking for the perfect tropical holiday experience.
"With the end of JobKeeper nearing, every holidaymaker contributing to the visitor economy is making a big difference to livelihoods in Cairns and Port Douglas."
Member for Cairns Michael Healy urged Queenslanders to book a holiday in Far North Queensland this Easter.
"We're Good to Go here in Far North Queensland. And thanks to this program, there's never been more reasons for Queenslanders to head north for a holiday," he said.
"Our economy has been hard hit by COVID-19. But we're still here and we still boast some of the world's best tourist attractions.
"I'm urging all Queenslanders looking to book a holiday to look no further than the Far North."
