Eat Local, Stay Local: Tasmanian government unveils new tourism, hospitality voucher scheme
A new $10m tourism and hospitality voucher scheme has been announced for Tasmania ahead of winter. HOW YOU CAN GET YOUR HANDS ON $100 VOUCHERS >>>
Tasmania
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A new scheme will enable Tasmanians to get their hands on $100 vouchers to be spent on accommodation, hospitality, and visitor experiences as the state government attempts to stimulate the local economy in the more sedate winter months.
The $10m Eat Local, Stay Local program was announced by Premier Jeremy Rockliff in Devonport on Sunday, with registrations set to open for two weeks from Monday, June 2.
Mr Rockliff said 100,000 vouchers worth $100 each would be made available and could be spent on eligible experiences.
Successful applicants will be randomly allocated through a ballot process at the end of June and the vouchers can be redeemed from July 1 up until October 31.
The scheme comes on the back of similar programs administered during the pandemic, aimed at providing a lifeline to the tourism and hospitality sectors and boosting intrastate tourism.
The government is also running a free car fare initiative for Spirit of Tasmania passengers as it endeavours to attract more visitors from the mainland.
Mr Rockliff, who was flanked by his mother Geraldine Rockliff as they celebrated Mother’s Day, said it had been “a good summer” for tourism operators but it was vital that business continued to boom when interstate visitation dropped.
“Tassie is a little quieter during the winter months and so it’s important that we encourage Tasmanians through the voucher scheme to be able to explore the wonderful food, beverage, accommodation, and visitor experiences right across Tasmania,” Mr Rockliff said.
“We have so much to offer in Tasmania, and this will be that added boost to small businesses and the local economy. But this is also a cost of living measure, as well, enabling people to experience Tasmania with a little less expense, which is very important.”
Dane Layton, the manager of Devonport cafe and restaurant Drift, said it was “no secret” that tourism and hospitality businesses tended to “struggle a little bit over winter”.
“I think the [voucher] scheme is a great thing and it’ll be a much-needed shot in the arm to both these industries, allowing us to keep full-time jobs throughout winter, and support some of these communities which really rely on those industries, as well,” he said.
“[It will] encourage some Tasmanians [who] would otherwise [travel] outside of the state to experience something in their own backyard [instead].”
Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old welcomed the announcement of the voucher scheme, describing it as “a fantastic move … at a time when our venues need it most”.
“It’s not just about encouraging people to dine out or book a weekend away; it’s about keeping the lights on and tills ticking across our hospitality sector through the cooler months,” he said.
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Originally published as Eat Local, Stay Local: Tasmanian government unveils new tourism, hospitality voucher scheme
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