Frydenberg visited Cairns on Monday to take the pulse of business operators on their successes and challenges during the COVID-19 pandemic.

The visit came as the Tourism and Transport Forum released heat map research showing more than 34 per cent of the country’s tourism hotspots had suffered a 40 per cent or more decline in visitors in the year ended September, due to the pandemic.

Falls in visitor numbers in the rest of Australia ranged between 10 per cent to 40 per cent, the research by Stafford Strategy found.

The treasurer said the government had already committed $251 billion in support for business and industry, with a further $100 billion still to be rolled out.

However, he recognised there were specific challenges in aviation and tourism which needed a government response.

“We’re still finalising those details but it’s a matter of days,” Frydenberg said.

“What I’ve heard from some businesses that I’ve met is that some are doing well and others are finding it a bit more challenging … so it’s about targeting that support but also providing opportunities for those who are doing OK to even take on more workers.”

TTF chief executive Margy Osmond said she was confident the industry’s concerns and support options were being heard.

The sector has previously argued for JobKeeper to be extended for the tourism and aviation markets.

But Frydenberg said: “There should be no expectation of another economy-wide wage subsidy.”

Shadow treasurer Jim Chalmers said thousands of workers would drop off JobKeeper at the end of March.

“What I’ve heard loud and clear from workers and small businesses during my five visits to Cairns is that any support is welcome but there’s no substitute for an extension of JobKeeper,” he said.

The tourism sector has been affected by the collapse in international visitors since the start of the pandemic.

While domestic tourism has helped to fill some of the gaps, it’s not enough, the sector argues.

Osmond also repeated a TFF call to the states and territories to keep their borders open so as not to stifle nascent interstate tourism.

The Australian Tourism Export Council said support should include a grants-based program to preserve skills and expertise in the inbound tourism sector.

“Inbound tour operators are the bridge that joins the international tourism trade with Australian tourism businesses, many of which are in regional Australia and cannot connect into the global market without expert ITOs supporting and promoting them,” it said.

Meanwhile, Social Services Minister Anne Ruston noted a range of social security payments would increase from March 20, in line with indexation arrangements.

The JobSeeker payment will increase by up to $5.10 a fortnight, including the energy supplement.

The Australian Council of Social Service says the rate is still inadequate and is lobbying senators to amend a bill before parliament to be more generous.