Tasmanian travel voucher lottery scheme guidelines soon to be finalised by state government
Tasmanians could be registering for a travel voucher lottery system within days, with some urgency to get the program under way due to tight timelines to redeem the bonus cash. DETAILS >>
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TASMANIANS will soon be able to register for a lottery system in an attempt to claim bonus cash to put towards a holiday at home.
There is urgency to get the program under way because under the scheme, vouchers must be redeemed for travel up until September 24.
The state government is still working to finalise the guidelines, including how much money individuals and families will be able to redeem.
A further announcement is expected in coming days ahead of the likely opening of the scheme next week.
It comes after Premier Peter Gutwein announced on Saturday that a $7.5m latest round of the travel voucher scheme would be rolled out across Tasmania.
But unlike the past two iterations of the popular program last year which worked on a first-in best-dressed system, this round will all be down to luck.
Tourism Industry Council of Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin said he hoped the vouchers could be redeemed for weekend intrastate travel.
In previous rounds, they could only be claimed for midweek accommodation bookings.
“By and large, the industry is excited at having a model driving demand and filling up rooms, rather than just grants,’’ he said.
Mr Martin said there was a positive feeling about the potential reopening of Tasmania’s border with Victoria, which emerged from its fifth lockdown earlier this week.
Victoria represents about half of Tasmania’s domestic tourism market.
“We were deeply concerned Victoria was on the same path as NSW, which would have made things difficult,’’ he said.
“There is only so long businesses are going to be able to sustain currently employment structures when markets are so compromised.
“But Victoria is looking a lot more encouraging and hopefully we can open [the border] sooner rather than later.”
Tasmanian Public Health authorities are expected to review that state’s high-risk declaration on Thursday, after easing border restrictions with South Australia on Tuesday.
Mr Gutwein said recent border closures and the impact on Tasmania’s tourism and hospitality sectors had prompted the government to once again offer the voucher program.
Popular travel voucher scheme returns
A RUSH of applications from Tasmanians eager to holiday at home is expected when the latest round of the popular travel voucher scheme opens next month.
It has left Tassie tourism and hospitality operators breathing a sigh of relief, with most domestic tourism markets currently shut out of the state due to border restrictions
This time, keen Tasmanian travellers will not have to stress about getting in early, because the first-in, best-dressed system from previous versions of the program has been abandoned.
Instead, it will be a case of pure luck, with a lottery system in place that the state government said would make the process fairer.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced at Saturday’s Liberal Party state council in Launceston that the government would fund the $7.5m scheme to lure Tasmanians to support the tourism and hospitality sectors.
About 80 per cent of domestic tourism markets are locked out of Tasmania due to Covid-19, while visitation from New Zealand ceased when the trans-Tasman travel bubble temporarily burst this week.
“Our tourism and hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and we are taking action to support the sector through this difficult time,” Mr Gutwein said.
Tourism Industry Council Tasmania chief executive Luke Martin applauded the Premier’s “rapid-fire response” to the industry’s latest disruption.
“After what’s been a really positive six months, our visitor economy this week fell off a cliff with cancellations, refunds and closed borders,” he said.
“The vouchers worked a treat last year, and I’m certain Tasmanians will be out in force over the next couple of months, visiting our regions and filling our city hotels.”
Maddison Cutler, the assistant manager of Salamanca’s Moss Hotel, praised the government’s support of Tasmania’s hospitality scene.
“We live in such a gorgeous state, so the opportunity to explore more of it is very welcomed,” she said.
“As a hotel, we are delighted by the support and bookings from local Tasmanians and hope to see more of their faces as they travel around their own backyard.”
The Tasmanian Small Business Council said the stimulus scheme was just the tonic for small businesses feeling the pinch from interstate lockdowns.
Chief executive Robert Mallett said improvements to the application process were also positive, following criticism that the previous system was unfair.
“We must not have the situation where only a fraction of the vouchers are redeemed, denying those who are not quite so quick on the keyboard the opportunity to holiday in Tasmania’s winter wonderland,” Mr Mallett said.
The Tasmanian Hospitality Association’s Steve Old said even though Tasmania was not in lockdown, it was an “extremely challenging and uncertain period” and venues had been devastated by recent border closures.
“Operators have been enduring constant challenges for 18 months and it does become relentless,” he said.
“I think it will help boost morale as well as business viability.”
But Federal Labor Franklin MP Julie Collins said Tasmania’s economy was being hit hard by the interstate lockdowns and the slow vaccine rollout.
“Fixing the bungled vaccine rollout is the only long-term solution to help Tasmania’s tourism industry and protect jobs,” Ms Collins said.
The state government’s announcement came after Pennicott Wilderness Journeys unveiled a $1m voucher program earlier this week.
Mr Gutwein said Tasmanians would be able to express their interest when the scheme opened during the week beginning August 2.
The vouchers will be redeemable for travel until September 24, the start of the school holiday period.
The Premier said guidelines and entry requirements would be finalised, including the voucher amounts, following consultation with industry.
EARLIER: A FRESH round of the hugely successful ‘Make Yourself at Home’ voucher scheme will open soon — this time via a lottery process making it fairer for all Tasmanians to grab discounts on accommodation and experiences across the state.
The state government said recent border closures designed to keep Tasmanians safe had again significantly affect the tourism and hospitality sectors, especially with visitors from key markets Victoria, New South Wales and South Australia restricted from visiting.
Premier Peter Gutwein announced at today’s Liberal Party state council the government would introduce a fresh round of the “Make Yourself at Home” voucher incentive scheme “to encourage Tasmanians to support local businesses and experience their home state, during the quieter months”.
“Our tourism and hospitality industry has been one of the hardest hit during the Covid-19 pandemic and we are taking action to support the sector through this difficult time,” Mr Gutwein said.
“We will fund a $7.5m voucher scheme for Tasmanians enticing them to holiday at home, book into local accommodation, and take part in local experiences right across the state.”
The application process for this round of vouchers will be slightly different to the previous rounds, with Tasmanians able to pre-register for a lottery-type system.
Tasmanians will be able to express their interest when the scheme is opened at the start of next month, with the vouchers redeemable for travel until September 24 – the start of the school holiday period.
“Following more consultation with industry next week, detailed guidelines and entry requirements will be worked through and finalised shortly, including the voucher amounts, but we expect them to be as successful as our last round, providing vital support for the industry at a challenging time,” Mr Gutwein said.
“The hospitality industry will also benefit from Tasmanians travelling around the state, eating out, visiting cafes and local bars.”
Last year’s scheme is estimated to have generated an additional $27.5m in spending across the state, supporting hundreds of small businesses and families.
“With another round of vouchers on offer, I again encourage all Tasmanians to snap them up, get out and about, and experience all our state has to offer while supporting businesses, families and communities in all areas of Tasmania,” Mr Gutwein said.
“We’ll provide another update to Tasmanians about how to register in the coming week.”
Gutwein doing ‘extraordinary’ job, says ScoMo
PRIME Minister Scott Morrison praised Premier Peter Gutwein for his response to the coronavirus pandemic and given a vote of confidence in Senator Eric Abetz during his address to the Tasmanian Liberal party conference.
The mood was jubilant as the party faithful gathered in Launceston on Saturday.
Speaking from Canberra, Mr Morrison congratulated Peter Gutwein on the Liberals’ win in the state election in May. It secured a historic third term for the Liberals.
“It’s an extraordinary achievement in Tasmanian political history and it’s an extraordinary achievement for the Tasmanian Liberal party,” Mr Morrison said.
“That’s not surprising in so many respects, the response you have led to Covid, Peter, has been extraordinary.”
The Prime Minister spoke of the importance of the Tasmanian senate seats.
“To continue to be a successful team we need to win those senate seats in Tasmania, and no one is more deserving of that term than Senator Eric Abetz.”
“I know he will leave no stone unturned and nor can we in Tasmania, in ensuring that we get our whole team back in the senate in the next election.”
In May, Senator Abetz was relegated to the potentially unwinnable No. 3 spot on the Liberals Senate ticket.
Mr Morrison also congratulated Mr Gutwein on the state’s vaccine rollout.
“Of all the state’s Tasmania has the highest rate of vaccination in the country,” Mr Morrison said.
“The effort you have put in, working closely with Commonwealth government, Peter, to make sure 82 per cent of Tasmanians aged over 70 have had their first dose, and 42 per cent have had their second is putting a real protection on the most vulnerable in the community.”
Mr Morrison spoke of the excitement around the Olympic Games saying Australia was behind the athletes every step of the way.
“It will give Australians a great lift in a time when Australians really need that lift,” he said.
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