Region could reap benefits of tourism voucher scheme

THE first round of the Victorian government’s tourism vouchers were snapped up by eager travellers, but Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine (TGGB) is looking forward to the flow-on effects of the second and third rounds.

Announced late last year, the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme allows those who have a voucher to spend at least $400 on accommodation, experiences, tours or attractions during their stay in regional Victoria and get $200 back after the presentation of receipts.

Round 1 of the scheme opened on December 11 and 14, with all the vouchers taken in minutes. The second round opens on January 20, for trips between January 27 and March 1; with round 3 opening on March 30, for trips between April 6 and May 31.

TGGB executive director Brett Ince said the state government had given the scheme a “quick start”, but it was not yet known how many of the vouchers had been used in the Geelong region.

“I know that tourism operators, the ones that I’ve spoken to, are optimistic about trying to capitalise on round 2 and round 3,” he said.

“Certainly, with Round 1, we know many people were excited to register and hopefully those who do travel within Victoria do travel to our region, but it’s too early to tell the impact of that yet.”

He said he hoped the scheme would encourage length of stay in Greater Geelong and the Bellarine and visitors trying something different.

“Really what the scheme is about is to try to encourage people to consider doing that additional experience,” he said.

“We are a region with a collection of many experiences, as opposed to one iconic experience.”

New experiences might include a Segway tour of the Geelong waterfront or hot air ballooning.

Mr Ince said 2020 was “a year like no other that we’ll remember for generations”, but the tourism industry was looking forward to a strong summer.

“A lot of Melburnians are looking for that escape, that revitalisation and recharging in the regions, and I think Geelong and the Bellarine is well set up for that,” he said.

“I know the accommodation bookings have been strong this summer and holiday homes have been quite strong.” Mr Ince said TGGB was working with organisers to get events – both large and small – up and running over summer.

Discover more about the voucher scheme at vic.gov.au/regional-travel-voucher-scheme.