Gold Coast travel industry: Wyndham’s Barry Robinson proposes vouchers to save sector

Tourism industry heavyweight Barry Robinson is calling for government-funded travel vouchers to boost the struggling industry. WHAT DO YOU THINK?

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TOURISM industry heavyweight Barry Robinson is calling for government-funded travel vouchers similar to those rolled out in Singapore and Tasmania to boost the struggling industry.

Mr Robinson, who heads up the Asia Pacific arm of Wyndham Vacation Clubs, said tourism had borne the brunt of the COVID-19 impact and the industry’s SMEs needed urgent help.

“The federal budget provided funding for tourism infrastructure, selected businesses and marketing dollars, along with a consumer tax reduction, butwhat it needed to do was provide a more direct motivation or incentive for people to travel,” he said.

The Gold Coast tourism sector is suffering with flight passenger numbers massively cut during COVID-19.

“That would arguably benefit the nation’s mental health at this time, while providing domestic tourism businesses with the shot in the arm they need.”

Mr Robinson said both the federal and state governments needed to consider digital vouchers to boost tourism spending.

This had been trialled in Singapore – where residents over 18 had been given $SGD100 ($102) to spend on local attractions – and Tasmania, which had rolled out a $12.5 million scheme where Tasmanians could claim vouchers to use on accommodation or tourism experiences within the state.

Wyndham boss and avid surfer Barry Robinson believes vouchers could provide a welcome boost to the travel sector.

SMILES HIT BY ASIC (AGAIN)

“Some states are finalising their budgets and we would urge them to investigate this way to get their constituents at least utilising tourism businesses in their states,” he said.

“Small and medium businesses are the lifeblood of tourism and cannot live in hibernation mode much longer. It is the eateries, tour operators and activity and experience providers who often make a destination memorable for travellers and, if they do not get the paying customers they need, some of the nation’s favourite destinations may change drastically.”

Mr Robinson also said states must re-open their borders “as soon as possible”.

“The hard state borders we have seen in recent months have prevented the free flow of travellers and have damaged tourism. We cannot have a situation in the future where borders close during every flare-up of COVID-19. All levels of government need to work together to contain any clusters where they occur,” he said.

Wyndham had 600 staff on the Gold Coast.

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