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Queensland offers cash bonus to attract tourism workers

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A man walks along a closed pier on Waikiki Beach in Honolulu on Saturday, March 28, 2020. Like many cities across the world, Honolulu came to an eerie standstill this weekend as the coronavirus pandemic spread throughout the islands. But Hawaii officials went beyond the standard stay-at-home orders and effectively flipped the switch on the state's tourism-fueled economic engine in a bid to slow the spread of the virus. As of Thursday, anyone arriving in Hawaii must undergo a mandatory 14-day self-quarantine. The unprecedented move dramatically reduced the number of people on beaches, in city parks and on country roads where many people rely on tourism to pay for the high cost of living in Hawaii. (AP Photo/Caleb Jones)

All those who have dreamed of ditching their regular nine-to-five in favour of working in an idyllic holiday destination are being given an extra reason to jack it all in.

Queensland, home to the Great Barrier Reef, is offering AUD$1,500 (£1,163; £823) and help with travel to work in the Australian state’s tourism sector.

Border restrictions have meant thousands of roles usually filled by foreign backpackers are now empty.

Many businesses are struggling. Before Covid hit, tourism was worth some AUD$22bn to Queensland. That plummeted after border restrictions were put in place in March 2020. Since then, only citizens, permanent residents and those with exemptions have been allowed to enter the state – and only if they complete a 14-day hotel quarantine on arrival at their own expense. (BBC)

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