$200 tourism vouchers to be offered to 120,000 people until June

The launch of Victoria’s tourism voucher program has stalled with the website crashing. It comes after the state government spruiked the much-awaited program and warned people to get in quick with the vouchers being handed out on a “first-come-first-served” basis.

The launch of Victoria’s tourism voucher program has stalled with the website crashing.

On Friday at 10 am the Business Victoria website was showing an error message and the mobile app also appeared to be not working.

It comes after the state government spruiked the much-awaited program and warned people to get in quick with the vouchers being handed out on a “first-come-first-served” basis.

Angry Victorians expressed their outrage on Twitter, asking where the ‘apply’ button was.

This the first of three rounds where 40,000 travel vouchers will be made available for Victorians to spend in country areas across the summer and into 2021.

Earlier, Tourism Greater Geelong and The Bellarine Executive Director Brett Ince hoped the scheme that will offer 120,000 people vouchers to stay or book activities in regional areas would extend Geelong’s traditional summer tourism trading period

“We would say to people to consider an attraction they haven’t been to before,” Mr Ince said.

“Having this additional $200 might encourage visitors to consider a hidden gem or experience a landscape, different to where they usually go.”

On Thursday the state government revealed three tranches of vouchers will be released.

Applications for the first round of 40,000 vouchers open at 10am December 11, and will be available for accommodation, attractions and tours booked between December 12 and January 22.

The Great Ocean Road is a popular destination in our region. Picture: Istock

Travel for the second round of 40,000 vouchers is required between January 27 and April 1, and the three round of 40,000 vouchers will run for travel between April 6 and May 31.

Under the subsidy a minimum $400 spend on a tourism attractions, tours, or a two-night stay in regional Victoria will be required.

Travel to Geelong region council areas, the Yarra Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula, among other areas, will be subsidised retrospectively under the scheme.

Great Ocean Road Tourism Regional Tourism General Manager Liz Price hoped the vouchers would encourage people to travel post January.

“I really like the idea of encouraging people to travel outside of the normal peak,” Ms Price said.

“60 per cent of our accommodation (booking) nights are normally in the first four months of the year. We are seeking that midweek is challenging for many businesses.”

Ms Price said Great Ocean Road region was spectacular during autumn and winter.

“The waterfalls are full, even sitting at the ocean … and watch a storm is pretty amazing.

“It’s better weather for walking, cycling and mountain bike riding because you’re not too hot.”

Ms Price encouraged people to travel beyond Port Campbell to places like Nelson and Cape Bridgewater.

Mr Ince encouraged visitors to the region to take a Segway tour along the Geelong waterfront, go hot air ballooning over the Bellarine, visit Queenscliff Harbour, go on a fishing charter or visit one of the region’s galleries.

Tourism Minister Martin Pakula said: “A bit more money in people’s pockets means they can see more and do more in regional Victoria – helping local businesses and the people and communities they support to bounce back.”

The voucher scheme is part of the state government’s $465 million tourism recovery package.

A full list of eligible areas for the vouchers can be found here: www.business.vic.gov.au/support-for-your-business/grants-and-assistance/regional-travel-voucher-scheme/regional-travel-voucher-scheme-faqs#eligible-municipalities

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Originally published as $200 tourism vouchers to be offered to 120,000 people until June