Yahoo Finance Tourism travel vouchers available in each Aussie state
Australia's battered tourism industry continues to suffer as our international borders remain closed and state borders flick open and closed at a moment's notice. But local governments are making efforts to reignite the sector in each state through a series of travel incentives.
From Vineyards to white sandy beaches and the Great Barrier reef, local governments are issuing vouchers to entice local or interstate visitors to get out and spend money to help keep the sector afloat.
Here's how to cash in your next trip in each Aussie state.
NEW SOUTH WALES
NSW's Dine & Discover scheme, available through the Service NSW app, gives all NSW residents over 18 years over a total of $100 in vouchers to spend on dining, arts and recreation. $50 of can be spend on dining facilities while a further $50 can be spent on cinemas, live music venues, amusement parks, travel tours and lots of other recreational activities.
Get in quick, Dine & Discover ends on Wednesday 30 June.
VICTORIA
Victorians dreaming of a holiday can receive $200 back on accommodation, tours, experiences and entry fees to regional attractions through the state's Regional Travel Voucher scheme. However, the catch is that you need to spend at least $400 in order to get the $200 reimbursement.
Only valid for travel between 6 April and 31 May
SOUTH AUSTRALIA
Vineyards, shark diving, mountain bike tours. The overwhelming support for South Australia's Great State Experience travel voucher scheme has seen the state roll out four separate rounds of incentives to help boost its the travel sector.
Round one: The first round offered South Australian residents $100 vouchers towards accommodation across the state. The claim period was 4 January 2021 to 5 February 2021 and valid for travel 12 December 2020 to 22 January 2021.
Round two: The second round of the Great State Voucher program offered visitors $100 vouchers for use at participating central city and North Adelaide stays, and $50 vouchers for regional and suburban accommodation. Bookings had to be made by January 31, but the vouchers could have been used for travel from January 7 to March 31 2021 (excepting Saturday nights). Vouchers were distributed on a first-come-first-serve basis.
Round three: The South Australian government launched its third round of the scheme in March for tours and experiences only. The vouchers, worth up to $200, targeted hosted tours or experiences in a bid to create jobs and support local businesses. The scheme provides $50, $100 and $200 vouchers for use on participating tours and experiences. A limited number is available for inter-state residents. The vouchers are distributed through a ballot system and valid during the winter months only.
Round four: The latest in South Australia's travel scheme will see 50,000 vouchers up from grabs offering either $100 off eligible CBD hotels or $50 off participating regional accommodation. The voucher scheme, which are available for both local and inter-state residents, kicks off in late-May and is valid for travel in June, July and August.
QUEENSLAND
Snorkeling and white sandy beaches. Queensland's Holiday Dollars program is offering up millions of dollars in travel vouchers in order to boost tourism to the state. The Cairns Holiday Dollars program was first to be released before the local government expanded to include Brisbane and the Whitsundays.
Cairns Holiday Dollars: Queenslanders can enjoy a 50 per cent discount or up to $200 off attractions in the Cairns region until 25 June.
Brisbane Holiday Dollars: Registrations for the Brisbane vouchers open at midday on April 27 for 72 hours. The vouchers will cover 50 per cent of the cost of the booking with eligible accommodation and tourism experience operators, up to a maximum of $100 and must be redeemed between May 6 and July 13.
Whitsundays Holiday Dollars: Whitsundays vouchers will be available to visitors already in the Whitsundays and locals from May 4. The vouchers cover 50 per cent of the cost of the booking with eligible tourism experience operators, up to a maximum of $200.
WESTERN AUSTRALIA
Home to some of Australia's best sun-baked wonders, the Western Australian government has also made efforts to reignite travel to the region. The state's A Million Reasons to Wander Out Yonder scheme was set up to promote experiences with a $100 discount for every $200 spent on local tours and attractions.
10,000 vouchers were offered on a first-come-first-serve basis to local residents only and were valid on bookings up to 31 December last year.
However, the WA government has hinted another travel scheme may on the way.
TASMANIA
Wine, cheese and more wine. Between 1 March 2021 and 30 June 2021, you can take your car to Tasmania for free via the Spirit of Tasmania ferry, saving a whole $240 on a car ferry pass.
On top of that, the state also offered up two travel voucher schemes under the Make Yourself at Home campaign to Tasmanian adult residents only. But the $150 accommodation and experience voucher schemes closed in December 2020.
However, with an upcoming state election in May, there are whispers of more travel schemes to come.
NORTHERN TERRITORY
The Northern Territory is already on round three of its local travel voucher scheme.
Round one: The Territory Tourism Voucher Round 1 delivered a dollar for dollar matched $200 incentive, for Territorians over the age of 18 to support the tourism industry and to experience the 'great Territory lifestyle'. The vouchers, which were launched in July last year, expired on 31 October.
Round two: Launched on 2 November 2020, locals were able to be in the running for a $200 voucher on over $400 of 'bookable tourism products'. Residents are also able to apply for a further $200 voucher, again based on a $400 investments, for booking a travel experience 400km of further from their place of residence. The program has reached capacity.
Round three: Launched on 1 February 2021, the Northern Territory launched its third wave of incentives to local residents. Territorians are able to register for a $200 voucher for 'bookable tourism products' on bookings of $400 and over. Residents are also able to apply for a further $200 voucher if they live 400km away from the experience. The bonus claim will be paid out with proof of travel and both incentives are valid for travel to 30 April.
AUSTRALIAN CAPITAL TERRITORY
The first round of the Choose CBR scheme offered all Australian residents $40 worth of vouchers every day for 13 days and focused on promoting the retail, tourism and hospitality sectors in the Canberra region.
However, the first scheme was not well received, with only $310,000 of the allocated $500,000 being used.
But a second round of vouchers will be available soon, with $2 million set aside for promoting travel in our capital city. To keep in the loop about upcoming travel schemes, make sure to register online.
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