Queensland has been pretty generous in its tourism efforts recently — we’re talking multiple travel vouchers, including ones to the Whitsundays. It’s not too surprising, as most states are doing something similar (look at NSW and their Dine & Discover vouchers) in an effort to boost regional tourism as international borders remain in a state of flux.
The latest offer from the Sunshine State? A $7.5 million package, created in an attempt to lure workers to take up tourism jobs in regional Queensland. Incentives are being offered as part of the package, including a $1,500 bonus to relocate, as well as $250 in travel vouchers.
“Work in Paradise” is the name of the campaign, and it’s pretty apt. If you’re keen on applying, you could find yourself working as a bartender, deckhand or tour guide — as there are “thousands of unfilled positions” according to a report from ABC News. The region on offer stretches north from Mackay, and includes inland regions west of Toowoomba, the publication says.
Annastacia Palaszczuk, premier of the state, said “We live in one of the most beautiful places in the world.” Elaborating, she said, “This campaign will give Queenslanders and other Australians even more reasons to come to work in paradise.”
Although various tourism operators welcomed the move, a number thought that the incentive wasn’t quite enough to cover relocation fees. One woman, Raina Ross, who located to Cairns to work for a white rafting operation, told ABC that it cost her $3,000 to relocate.
One other potential roadblock? A shortage of rental properties in the state — something that was echoed by many working in the state’s tourism industry.
As mentioned, this isn’t the first time that the Queensland state government has invested in the region. Tourism Minister, Sterling Hinchliffe, said that more than $800 million had been invested into the tourism industry throughout the pandemic so far.
When talking about the new program, he said that it was designed to ease the workforce shortage facing many tourism hotspots, “while delivering jobs for Queenslanders and Australians.”
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