SA’s Great State travel voucher scheme gone in 90 minutes despite false start
SA’s much-hyped travel voucher scheme – which gives you up to $100 off hotels and holiday spots – was so popular this morning the website had a meltdown, and they were all gone by 10.30am.
SA News
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The mad rush for discounted holidays saw the $4m Great State voucher scheme fully booked in 90 minutes.
A “delayed start” — which some interpreted as the system crashing due to demand – saw some people unable to log on at the advertised 9am start for around 50,000 vouchers worth $100 for a stay at CBD properties and $50 for properties elsewhere in the state.
Officials say the first voucher was claimed at 9.01am, the regional vouchers were gone at 9.55am, while the CBD vouchers were snapped up by 10.27am.
It had been intended to be open until the end of the month, for holidays which could be taken up until December 11, to stimulate the tourism industry.
SA Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the rush was great news for the sector.
“Around 50,000 vouchers were issued – that’s a great shot in the arm for the South Australian tourism sector that is focused on fighting back to its 2019 $8.1 billion record high,” Mr Harrex said.
“We’d like to thank all of those South Australians who have logged in today — effectively helping to book out rooms from now until 11 December — it’s the kind of support that is going to give hospitality staff and tourism operators a massive reason to smile.
“We are now looking forward to hearing where South Australians book their stays — will they choose one of the new five star hotels in the city or maybe head to the regions. There are many amazing deals and iconic accommodation properties, so this is a great way for everyone to get out and explore our own state.”
Mr Harrex also urged people to consider using their federal budget tax cut to take a local holiday to help spur the industry.
Under the voucher plan to stimulate the tourism sector city holiday stays are priced from just $1 a night with a voucher which were available on the South Australian Tourism Commission website.
The plan meant a one-night city stay at the Ibis Adelaide was available from just $1, or $55 at the Hilton Adelaide or $109 at the Mayfair Hotel.
In regional SA the deal meant a one-night stay at the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary costs just $25, the Aurora Ozone Hotel on Kangaroo Island from $129 and the Port Lincoln Hotel from $139.
Premier Steven Marshall said the accommodation sector had been hit particularly hard by the pandemic.
“The plan is to stimulate the economy and get people back to jobs,” Mr Marshall said.
“I think it will be an extraordinarily popular offer — enjoy a holiday, have a few days away.
“South Australians have done an incredible job over the past six months in keeping our state safe, and we want to repay the favour by making your next ‘staycation’ cheaper.
“South Australians can choose from 238 different accommodation providers across the state, ranging from Discovery Parks in the Barossa for under $50 a night and the brand-new Adelaide Oval Hotel right here in the city for around $130 per night.
Opposition tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison called for more rounds of the vouchers and for them to be expanded to other operators apart from accommodation providers.
“Vouchers are a great way of stimulating demand, and the tourism industry desperately needs it,” Ms Bettison said. “The Opposition simply wants as many tourism operators to be able to participate.”
Manager of the InterContinental Adelaide, Clement Jacob, who joined Mr Marshall for the announcement welcomed the plan and said the hotel closed temporarily when the pandemic hit but has been enjoying better-than-expected bookings since it reopened.
“It means we are actually hiring people because occupancy is picking up,” he said.
“Shiki (restaurant) is doing revenue similar to pre-COVID.”