Supporting Queensland’s businesses
With announcements and changes rolling out quickly, TEQ is collating the vital information for tourism and events businesses in the one place on our corporate website: teq.queensland.com/covid-19
This is being updated several times per day and aims to help link you to the official sources of information and government directives to aid business decision-making and to provide easy access to the various support that is available.
Can I continue to operate my business?
On 25 March 2020, Queensland’s Chief Health Officer issued a directive in relation to the operation of non-essential businesses.
Non-essential businesses include, among others: retail food services (takeaway excepted), beauty and personal care services, entertainment venues, hostels, bed and breakfasts, boarding houses, caravan and camping parks (with some exceptions), campgrounds, zoos and wildlife centres.
If your business does not fall under these specific restrictions, or you are an event organiser, you are still required to comply with the mass gatherings directives issued by Queensland’s Chief Health Officer.
Businesses should strongly consider that there is a clear direction from the National Cabinet, Prime Minister, Premiers and all officials that Australians should not undertake non-essential travel.
Links to all official directives, as well as other information relating to the operation of businesses are outlined on our dedicated COVID-19 webpage.
Government Hotline for more information – 13 28 46
The Federal Government has also established an advice hotline for small and medium-sized businesses to help navigate the many support packages available – 13 28 46.
Best of Queensland Experiences Program update and business development resources
As the COVID-19 situation rapidly changes and the impacts continue to be felt across the industry, TEQ has decided to pause the Best of Queensland Experiences Program, effective immediately.
As a priority, TEQ will be working closely with industry to provide increased support and guidance during these unprecedented circumstances.
Experience delivery does not just happen on the ground, and there is an opportunity to connect and engage with travellers throughout the path to purchase, from dreaming through to booking, experiencing and sharing. During this time, TEQ encourages operators to continue engaging with potential travellers online to ensure their experience is top-of-mind and differentiated when travellers are dreaming of their next holiday.
Now is also a good opportunity to look inward, finding enhancements to service delivery to exceed consumer expectations.
The Tourism Industry Digital Mentoring Program is also being held online across the state and provides a valuable opportunity for operators to participate in one-on-one mentoring with an industry expert. There is no cost to participate in these sessions, and options include:
developing your social media business capability;
developing your capability to take bookings and reservations online
Click here to register your interest in the program and to find out more.
TEQ’s corporate website also contains a host of useful resources for operators to access. Everything from enhancing Australian Tourism Data Warehouse (ATDW) listings and encouraging online reviews, to free digital webinars is available to enable operators grow their business and develop their experience.
Operators are also encouraged to touch base with their Regional Tourism Organisation (RTO) who are there to support industry and provide updates on upcoming opportunities.
TEQ will provide future Best of Queensland program updates and looks forward to continuing to work closely with you now, and into the future.
TEQ marketing update
In line with current Federal and State Government advice that Australians should not travel unless it is essential, TEQ has paused all marketing activities.
We continue to provide inspirational content in international and domestic markets to keep Queensland top of mind now and when global travel resumes.
We are also making the most of our spectacular and inspiring Queensland imagery to connect with social media users who are in isolation or feeling anxious during this time, sending them serenity and calm from Queensland.
Other cancellations
A number of key tourism industry activities have been cancelled in the past week:
The Australian Tourism Exchange (ATE) – full refunds being offered
Queensland on Tour New Zealand – full refunds being offered, TEQ has contacted participants directly.
Queensland on Tour Korea – postponed, new date TBC.
Famils – all of TEQ’s Experience Programs have been rescheduled up until 31 May 2020. TEQ has contacted all affected host operators directly.
Some good news
A world-leading vaccine for coronavirus is being developed in Queensland, with a $17 million State and Federal package announced this week to fast-track its development, meaning it could be delivered six months sooner than expected. Read more.
TEQ’s scUber initiative was awarded ‘Best use of face-to-face / Experiential Marketing’ at the Mumbrella Travel Marketing Awards recently. The award recognises the incredible exposure the initiative created for the Great Barrier Reef, and the immersive experience it provided both to those lucky enough to ride scUber, as well as to billions of people worldwide.
Creative corner
In these challenging times, it’s important to take a breath and appreciate some of the positive efforts businesses are making. Perhaps they may also inspire some of Queensland’s tourism and events operators with ideas of how they could market or operate. If you come across something clever or inspiring, please share it with us to be shared across the industry.
How could your product go viral? This Melbourne Zookeeper sent the internet into hysterics with his creative performance as part of what is already a clever initiative by Melbourne Zoo to connect with the world.
Could your business evolve into another way of operating? Congrats to the Beenleigh Rum Distillery and Bundaberg Rum Distiller on moving swiftly to change focus to the production of ethanol for hand sanitiser – keeping people in jobs and providing a much-needed service to the state.
Could you turn a negative into a positive? Following the temporary cessation of operation for Dreamworld and WhiteWater World, Australia’s leading food rescue charity, OzHarvest, collected 755kg of food donated by Dreamworld this week which will assist in putting 2,265 meals on tables.
Industry opportunities
Facebook Small Business Grants program
Facebook is offering $100 million in cash grants and ad credits for up to 30,000 eligible small businesses.
Study tours and edutourism workshop – Townsville
Townsville businesses are invited to learn about successful edutourism programs and gain practical guidance for best practice program development and delivery in this virtual workshop which may open opportunities for the future.
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