Vouchers entitling residents of the Gold Coast to a 50% discount on accommodation up to a maximum of $100 are on offer from the Queensland Government under the latest round of its ‘Play Money’ initiative.
The latest round of vouchers are being delivered in partnership with Destination Gold Coast and is designed to help businesses near the state’s border with New South Wales and part of a wider AUD$14.55 million plan to assist a variety of industries which rely on customers from both sides of the border.
Under the plan, residents will receive $50 back when spending $100 or more with a participating business and a maximum of $100 when spending $200 or more. Each Gold Coast resident is eligible to apply for up to five vouchers each, with the government committing AUD$1 million to the subsidy. Currently, more than 150 businesses have registered to take part in the offer.
Queensland Minister for Employment and Small Business, Di Farmer, said the reduction of cross-border trade has been especially challenging to businesses in this part of the state.
“Play Money vouchers are available from today and can be used throughout the school holidays, so there’s never been a better time to get behind your favourite border businesses,” Minister Farmer said.
“We know that Coolangatta, Currumbin, Tugun and Currumbin Waters have suffered from a big drop in local foot traffic and patronage because they’re essentially one community split across two states.”
Destination Gold Coast CEO, Pat O’Callaghan, said the cashback subsidy will help businesses hit hard by the border closures
“Tourism and hospitality businesses have been especially impacted in the past 18 months, and I hope this program signals the beginning of greater economic activity in the region as restrictions ease and our border opens up,” O’Callaghan said.
“We believe this round of Play Money Rewards has the potential to provide more than AUD$2 million directly to local border businesses.”