Government to announce $50 vouchers for NSW accomodation

The government is giving dishing out $50 to every adult for your next NSW holiday as part of the state’s post-lockdown recovery.

All adults in NSW will get a $50 voucher to spend on accomodation anywhere in the state as part of a major tourism recovery package worth more than $500 million.

The Stay and Rediscover vouchers will work like the popular Dine and Discover scheme, giving NSW residents $50 off all accomodation like hotels, caravan parks and camping grounds.

The vouchers will replace the mooted $100 vouchers for accomodation in the CBD.

The Perrottet government is also spending hundreds of millions of dollars to restart events and attractions while a program to attract more flights to Sydney airport – worth $60 million – is a key pillar of the major tourism announcement.

Premier Dominic Perrottet will announce new accomodation vouchers. Picture: NCA NewsWire / Gaye Gerard

Premier Dominic Perrottet said the package would help the 300,000-strong tourism industry get back on its feet.

“Millions of people around the world dream of visiting Sydney and our regional areas. This package not only ensures they can, but that they’ll experience the very best of what we have to offer,” he said.

“It’s also great news for people right across our state, reviving events and businesses and bringing our major drawcards back to life. Our aim is to reclaim our position as one of the world’s favourite destinations.”

Festivals, big and small, can prepare for a comeback in 2022 with $25 million allocated to support those on the brink of collapse.

And Sydney’s open-for-business sign will come in the form of a $10 million recovery marketing campaign which will include another push for locals to head on road trips.

The package will dedicate $150 million to supporting major events across the state, and $60 million will be spent to encourage airlines to ramp up flights to Sydney.

Another $40 million will be used to set up an Event Saver Fund which will pour dollars into the wallets of organisers with events that were cancelled because of the public health orders.

A CBD revitalisation program worth $50 million will boost events in central business districts across Sydney, including Parramatta and Liverpool.

Tourism Minister Stuart Ayres said the “much needed” financial support would inject life into struggling businesses.

The vouchers will allow $50 for accomodation anywhere in NSW.

“This was a one in 100-year event which severely damaged our tourism industry, operators barely hung in there as they lost bookings, customers and staff, now as we rebuild we can do so with confidence,” Mr Ayres said.

“We need event owners to dream big, airlines to fly in and for locals and visitors to embrace our world class venues and hospitality with enthusiasm once again.”

Treasurer Matt Kean said he hoped the package would bolster businesses confidence.

“We want to support citizens to get out and explore their own backyard, give our events sector the confidence to get back to business and send the signal to the airline industry that NSW is and always will be Australia’s gateway to the world,” he said.

“We know NSW is the best place to live, work, learn and play, but this is about bringing visitors back, boosting business and serving up the best of what NSW has to offer to the world.”