Premier Dan Andrews: $200 regional travel vouchers in $465 million tourism recovery package

Tens of thousands of $200 vouchers will be up for grabs in a bid to entice more people to holiday in regional Victoria under a $465 million package revealed by the Premier. But there are conditions.

Regional restaurants, pubs, hotels, wineries and small businesses will share in a multimillion-dollar relief package to help the sector bounce back after a damaging year of bushfires and COVID-19 restrictions.

Premier Daniel Andrews has unveiled a $465 million Victorian Tourism Recovery Package, with up to 120,000 vouchers each worth $200 available to entice more people to visit and stay in regional Victoria.

Victorians will be able to apply for the vouchers as long as they spend at least $400 on accommodation, attractions or tours in regional Victoria.

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Martin Pakula said the finer details of how the vouchers will work had not yet been finalised but could be based on similar schemes rolled out in other states.

“Whether it‘s upfront or by reimbursement is part of the design,” he said.

“In other states, there‘s a voucher that’s printed out and then people get a refund at the end once they’ve acquitted they’ve expended that money.

“But that detailed design will be in place and we hope to have it in place by the beginning of December.”

The Budget will also provide:

■ $149 MILLION to build new visitor accommodation, improve major tourist trails, and encourage people to explore regional Victoria,

■ $47.5 MILLION for better visitor infrastructure along the Great Ocean Rd,

■ $2 MILLION to build more campsites along the Surf Coast,

■ AN $18.5 MILLION Gippsland Tourism Recovery Package for new accommodation, upgrades to the East Gippsland Rail Trail, tourism infrastructure across Victoria’s east and support local jobs,

■ $3.5 MILLION to build 10 eco-pods at Cape Conran Coastal Park, $2 million for more campsites, and $2.5 million to help establish the Metung Hot Springs and the Nunduk Spa and Eco-Resort,

■ $3.85 MILLION to provide better access to Point Hicks Lighthouse,

■ $15 MILLION towards works on the Falls to Hotham Alpine Crossing hiking trail,

■ $13 MILLION for trail heads on the Grampians Peak Trail and visitor upgrades at Mackenzie Falls,

■ $4.3 MILLION toward the continued growth of the Prosecco Rd winery district including helping to establish accommodation at Dal Zotto Wines.

There is also support for the Murray River Adventure Trail, facilities at Wilsons Promontory, the Mallee Silo Art Trail, the Brambuk Cultural Centre in Halls Gap and the Ballarat Centre for Photography.

Premier Daniel Andrews arrives at Dal Zotto Wines in the King Valley for Wednesday’s press conference.

Premier Daniel Andrews said the package was the biggest regional tourism investment in the history of the state.

He said the money would help promote local tourism as international travel remains off the table for the foreseeable future.

“It‘s really important that we promote people from Melbourne, and other parts of regional Victoria, travelling and spending money in lots of different tourism spots,” he said.

Dal Zotto Wines owner Otto Dal Zotto said he hoped the government’s contribution to the King Valley winery district, which will fund new art installations and signage, would bring more people to the area.

“We know this is a great region, we just need other people to discover that,” he said.

“(The funding) gives people another reason and experience to come along.”

Mr Dal Zotto said it was important for those wanting a holiday to “get on the phones and book” a trip to regional Victoria.

Among the other funding, $150 million Regional Tourism Investment Fund will go towards nature-based, First Nations, arts and culture, and food and wine tourism project.

A further $1.6 million will support First Peoples tourism businesses through advisory services, mentoring and digital skills development.

Another $106.5 million has been allocated to tourism industry support which includes a $58 million marketing boost for Visit Victoria.

Mr Pakula said the marketing would be focused on encouraging local tourism and would be broadened to international travellers in the future.

The Labor Government’s Regional Events Fund has been renewed, with $20 million to continue supporting blockbuster events outside Melbourne.

And the Melbourne Convention Bureau will continue to bring visitors from around Australia and the world to its business and convention events as part of a $9.7 million boost to the Business Events Program.

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