South Australia’s tourism voucher program puts $19 million into economy and more are to come

SA’s accommodation voucher program has put $19 million into the local economy – and Premier Steven Marshall promises there is more to come.

Round two of the government’s Great State Voucher initiative will inject more than $19 million into the economy even though fewer than 50 per cent of those who applied for the program have taken up the offer.

Premier Steven Marshall said around 36,000 bookings had been made by the January 31 cut off from the 75,000 vouchers that had been applied for when the program opened in January. He said the $2.5 million program had been so successful a third round was in the planning.

The scheme offers $100 subsidies for CBD accommodation and $50 for suburban and regional operators, and exclude Saturday nights to help accommodation businesses who have seen occupancy levels drop because of COVID-19.

“These great state voucher programs are designed to turbo charge that occupancy,’’ Mr Marshall said. “This is massively important to drive visitations and stays right across our state.’’

Mr Marshall said while regional areas where doing well, CBD hotels were still being “disproportionately hit’’ compared to the rest of the state.

“December in regional South Australia was not only higher than the previous year it was actually the highest on record,’’ he said. “What we are seeing is that the people in South Australia are getting out. Instead of going interstate or maybe overseas for their holiday they are exploring their own backyard.’’

Crowne Plaza Adelaide general manager Sarah Goldfinch Picture: Tom Huntley

The Premier also said a third round of the program was likely to help operators through the winter period, which is traditionally a slower period for tourism-based businesses. He also said the next round could be expanded to include tour operators, as well as “different attractions and experiences’’.

South Australian Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said a take-up rate of almost 50 per cent of the vouchers was better than similar programs around the country.

“Redemption near 50 per cent is very solid and we are very pleased with that,’’ he said.

The first round of the program generated around 30,000 bookings from 75,000 vouchers.

Labor leader Peter Malinauskas said the scheme should be expanded to include all tourism-based businesses and should also include a waitlist, so the voucher would be re-allocated to someone else if not used within 14 days.

Crowne Plaza Adelaide general manager Sarah Goldfinch said the vouchers had been the difference between the hotel, which opened late last year, making and losing money.

Ms Goldfinch said bookings were still down on pre-COVID expectations but that was better than it had been looking.

“It’s about 15 per cent less and we were saying it was going to be about 50 per cent less so it’s an improvement,’’ she said.