Vouching for regional tourism

WITH the aim of kick-start Victoria’s regional tourism industry after a tough year, the State Government has released the first round of travel vouchers.

Initially 40,000 $200 vouchers for travel in regional Victoria up until Friday, 22 January were made available in the hopes of boosting income of regional accommodation and tourism operators.

With those vouchers snapped up within 12 hours of the program opening, a further 30,000 were made available on Monday but they were gone in six hours.

To ensure cash flows directly to regional businesses, all vouchers will require proof of spend to be submitted after travelling.

Owner Sovereign Park Motor Inn Tim Canny said the news of the program was warmly welcomed by his business and the wider industry.

“These vouchers will encourage people to choose regional travel over metro or interstate,” he said. “Regional accommodation businesses have really suffered this year, so this announcement is very welcome.

“The initiative will help us to recover faster and get back to doing business pre-pandemic.”

Under the scheme, an extra 40,000 vouchers will be made available from 20 January for travel between 27 January and 1 April and then again from 30 March for spends between 6 April and 31 May.

There’s one voucher one per household with a minimum $400 spend on accommodation, activities or tours, that must include at least two nights in accommodation in regional Victoria.

With forward bookings at his motel almost back pre-pandemic levels, Mr Canny said the vouchers will give the peak travelling period that extra boost it needs after a quiet year.

“The Christmas and New Year’s period is looking as strong as ever,” he said. “Still, there’s plenty of availability from 1 January until the end of summer.”

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the $28 million Regional Travel Voucher Scheme is aimed at supporting the State’s regional economies.

“This year more than ever, Victorians deserve a holiday,” he said. “A bit more money in people’s pockets means they can see more and do more in regional Victoria, helping local businesses and the people and communities they support to bounce back.”