Slow start to Hobart City Council’s Passport to Hobart program
A program handing out free dining vouchers has been rated as a hit by participating businesses, despite a slow uptake from the public.
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A PROGRAM where diners can earn vouchers to spend at local cafes and restaurants has had a slow start, but venues are pleased with the buzz around the idea.
The Hobart City Council’s Passport to Hobart pilot program will run for four weeks, with diners encouraged to try one of the 58 different businesses involved to earn vouchers.
The Stamp Me app is free and the first 3500 people to download it get a $10 welcome voucher.
By spending $20 at a participating venue, you earn a stamp — five stamps earn a $20 voucher.
The council has set aside $70,000 to pay out the vouchers.
As of Wednesday, just over 2700 $10 welcome vouchers had been allocated, with 538 redeemed.
Of the $20 reward vouchers, 33 had been allocated and 16 redeemed.
More than 850 stamps had been acquired.
Collide Wholefoods owner Millie Pardoe said the number of people using the program and the level of enthusiasm was “surprising”.
“People are excited to support local businesses and this is a good incentive to be able to do that,” she said.
“We’ve had to explain to people a few times how to use it, so don’t be afraid to ask for help if you need it.”
Ms Pardoe said she would support an extension of the four-week trial.
“It takes people a while to jump on board things sometimes and it’s still so new,” she said.
Belles Pizzeria owner Matt Hidding said the program had been better than he anticipated, with a positive response from customers and many new customers discovering the South Hobart venue.
Little Poet Patisserie owner Paul Liao said the new cafe in Victoria St had had an increase in new customers since the program was rolled out, but said it needed to run for more than four weeks.
“It’s a bit too short, a lot of people don’t even know about it yet,” he said.
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