Coronavirus SA: $100, $50 vouchers to help tourism in wake of COVID-19, but are they enough?
A new scheme will give you cash off a short SA ‘staycation’, offering a shot in the arm to the state’s struggling tourism industry. But is it enough?
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Vouchers of up to $100 per booking for select CBD hotel staycations and $50 for regional and suburban accommodation providers will be accessible to South Australians from October.
The State Government has unveiled a new $4m ‘Great State’ voucher scheme, which will run from October 15 until the end of the month or until funds are exhausted.
The voucher will be valid for bookings with stay dates from October 15 to December 11, excluding Saturday nights.
Some hotels have already started signing up to the scheme, which has been described as a “shot in the arm” for the tourism industry by Premier Steven Marshall.
“This is a call to arms for South Australians to continue to back the local tourism industry by
rewarding themselves with a guilt-free ‘staycation’ in one of our many excellent hotels or accommodation providers,” he said.
“Every additional hotel night booked will result in positive flow-on benefits across the sector, as jobs – from front of house staff to chefs, cleaners and baristas – are supported.”
So far, the vouchers will be usable at the Mayfair Hotel, new Adelaide Oval Hotel, Crowne Plaza, and Hilton Adelaide, while regionally, Beach Huts Middleton has also signed up.
However the opposition – who was yesterday leaked details of the scheme – labelled the vouchers as “stingy” and claimed not enough tourism businesses are included.
Labor criticised the scheme for not including accommodation providers with fewer than 10 rooms, excluding smaller, boutique venues or campsites and shared accommodation. Saturday-night stays are also not eligible and it doesn’t extend beyond accomadation providers meaning other businesses in areas such as hospitality, experiences, tours or attractions are not eligible, it said.
While welcoming the scheme, Labor’s tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison said it was below a $200 statewide voucher the opposition has been calling for.
“We never expected it to be as shorthanded as it is. This is a shock. What we have seen here is a stingy tourism voucher,” she said.
Mayfair Hotel general manager Michael Collis said he’s excited more locals will be able to “enjoy the luxury Mayfair Hotel experience”.
The hotel has been impacted by the decline in interstate and international tourists, but has remained open throughout the year.
“We are seeing an increase in visitors … All of our food & beverage outlets and services are open and we have been fortunate to see many patrons enjoying their experience with us,” Mr Collis said.
The Mayfair Hotel will be offering a $209 per night rate (before rebate), including a welcome drink per guest, from October 15-December 11, excluding Saturday nights.
Australian Hotels Association chief executive Ian Horne welcomed the new stimulus measure.
“Border closures and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have resulted in a significant decrease in overnight stays in the city … so hotel operators have been really struggling,” Mr Horne said.
South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the voucher was a timely reward for South Australians who have had a tough time.
“We’re already hearing some incredible rates from CBD hotels who have signed up, that with our discount of $100 means South Australians will be able to stay in 5 star rooms in the city for prices they have never seen before,” he said.
The incentive scheme comes after industry operators, including major operators like SeaLink and Discovery Parks urged the state government to pay heed to voucher schemes for locals introduced by NT and Tasmania.
The NT government’s Territory Tourism Voucher is valued at up to $200, matching an equal spend by travellers, while Tasmanians can access ‘Make Yourself at Home’ travel vouchers of $100 per adult for accommodation and $50 towards an experience.
Last week the Government announced a $20 million infrastructure and regional tourism package.