Grants help tourism take off

neArly 2,000 small businesses across Queensland, including many tour operators, are set to receive $5,000 each from the first round of the Qld Government’s Business Basics grants.

The grants, aimed at sole traders and businesses with a turnover of up to $300,000, are designed to increase their core capabilities and cope with the current economic turndown.

One of the beneficiaries is North Qld-based Heartland Helicopters owner Bevan Duke (pictured), who said the $5,000 grant will allow his business to develop its first website and reach a wider market and attract more clients to its air tour services.

“The grant will help promote the full range of services from customised scenic tours and heli-fishing for barramundi,” Duke said, adding the development of a new website will help the young business insulate itself from the challenges of the pandemic.