How to cash in on $550 travel vouchers before they run out

Tassie families keen for a holiday at home will be able to cash in on the state government’s ‘Make Yourself At Home’ scheme to the tune of $550. But the budget is limited, so holidaymakers are encouraged to get in quick. SEE WHEN YOU CAN REGISTER + WHAT YOU CAN DO >>

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TASMANIAN families will be able to claim up to $550 towards an intrastate holiday as part of a plan aimed at rejuvenating the state’s tourism economy.

The $7.5m Make Yourself At Home state government travel initiative – offering accommodation and experience vouchers – will open for online registrations from 9am September 7, running through to December.

The initiative will work as a rebate scheme, with the government to refund costs once travellers have completed and presented receipts from their stay or experience. Tasmanians must first register online before receiving a voucher.

The state government believes the allocated vouchers will be snapped up quickly, after a similar Northern Territory campaign sold out within 10 hours.

The amount we will be valid for travel activities as follows:

• Oneadult can register for one $100 accommodation voucher and one $50 experience voucher.
• A couple can access up to two $100 accommodation vouchers to use on different nights and two $50 experience vouchers.
• A family package worth $550 will also be available, so Tasmanians can register for up to two adults to access $150 accommodation vouchers to use on different nights, as well as a $50 experience voucher for each adult, and up to three $50 vouchers can be used for children.

Speaking during question time in state parliament on Thursday morning Premier Gutwein said the voucher system would work as a refund scheme.

“Tasmanians will pay upfront costs then claim for accommodation or experiences and will be able to do it through valid receipts which will be refunded into their nominated bank account,” he said.

The scheme is open to all permanent Tasmanian residents.

State Labor said the initiative excluded certain business types and Tasmanians without internet access.

The vouchers can be used to claim $100 on the cost of commercial accommodation, including short-stay accommodation properties, or $50 on tourism experiences, such as cruises or adventures.

Hadley’s Orient Hotel chief executive Ben Targett said he hoped visitors from across the state would take up accommodation at the Hobart hotel.

Premier Peter Gutwein alongside CEO of Hadley's Orient Hotel, Ben Targett as the Premier spoke regarding the Tasmanian Governments new travel vouchers. Picture: Zak Simmonds

“We’ve had a hard time through the winter with the restrictions, so to hear the details of the scheme is exciting because it’s going to create demand and that’s something we haven’t had enough of,” he said.

Tasmanians will not have to travel outside their municipality to use the vouchers.

THE FACTS

• The vouchers will be available to use from September.
• The $100 voucher can be used only be used on commercial accommodation.
• The accommodation voucher can only be used midweek.
• Up to $50 can be used on attractions; cruises, walks, entry sites such as Port Arthur Historic Site or the Tahune Airwalk.
• The $50 voucher for attractions can be used any day of the week.
• The vouchers will be valid September through until the end of November.
• According to state government figures, midweek occupancy in hotel accommodation is low.
• In total there is $7.5 million available to encourage Tasmanians to travel outside of their municipality
• The voucher system is expected to support up to 25,000 bed nights or 50,000 tourism experiences each month.
• Consultation is currently underway.

Premier Peter Gutwein said people could also make use of the scheme more than once, if funds permitted, and only after the completion of a person’s first accommodation stay or experience.

“The way it’s been set up is that once you’ve applied for a voucher and then been and had your experience and got your refund, if there is still funds available as part of the $7.5 million scheme, you will be able to request a second voucher,” he said.

Destination Southern Tasmania CEO Alex Heroys welcomed the program.

“Any business that gains extra bookings through the scheme will go out of their way to welcome local visitors. It will help many tourism operations to survive until the borders can be reopened again,” Mr Heroys said.

Mr Gutwein said the initiative would create an economic boost “two to three times the investment that we’ve made”.

Labor leader Rebecca White said there were some issues with the initiative “which I can see posing problems”.

“There might not be people who have the cash upfront that can go and have this experience,” she said. “There might be people who miss out because they don’t have internet access. And there are going to be businesses that are excluded because the government has excluded events, cafes and restaurants.

“We encourage the government to work with the tourism and hospitality sector to make sure everyone has equity of access and businesses who most need this support can get it.”

For more information and to register visit Make Yourself At Home.