Tasmania Encourages Safe Intrastate Holidays With Home Travel Vouchers

Mount Wellington, Tasmania. Donovan Simpkin/Unsplash

Tasmania will be offering a fresh round of travel vouchers valued at $5 million (US$3.5 million) to encourage locals to travel within the state for their next getaway while the pandemic limits travel interstate and abroad.

Premier Peter Gutwein announced that the second release of the Make Yourself at Home Travel Voucher initiative can be used on accommodation or tourism experiences across the state.

“We will continue to be innovative, to be proactive and focus on solutions to take our state forward, to keep supporting our businesses and Tasmanian jobs, and rebuild a stronger Tasmania,” Gutwein said in a statement, urging Tasmanians to holiday safely at home.

The first round had an overwhelming response with vouchers selling out in minutes.

Similar initiatives have been offered in Western Australia and South Australia, with vouchers in both states being quickly snapped up.

South Australia Premier Steven Marshall told The Naracoorte Herald: “Every additional hotel night booked will result in positive flow-on benefits across the sector, as jobs—from front of house staff to chefs, cleaners and baristas—are supported.”

Mt Lofty Ranges Vineyard in Adelaide Hills, Australia. Courtesy of South Australian Tourism Commission

The campaign will bring the total investment in domestic travel to $12.5 million (US$8.8 million).

The CCP (Chinese Communist Party) virus, commonly known as novel coronavirus, has shattered one of Australia’s biggest industries and resulted in $30 billion (US$21 billion)—which international tourists injected last year—evaporate from the economy.

There are still doubts as to whether domestic tourism will be able to fill the void, as travel within Australia isn’t cheap, and local tourists are loathe to spend far and wide.

Economist Terry Rawnsley told the ABC, “From what we’re seeing, domestic tourists are a bit more price-sensitive. There’s not those people willing to spend premium rates for a premium holiday.”

Intrastate visitors also prefer daycations and weekend getaways whereas “international guests tend to stay for seven to 10 days,” Tasmanian tour operator Greg Price said.

The second round of travel vouchers will again be first in, best dressed, but applications will open on Wednesday from 7:00 pm to benefit those who missed out during the morning release last time.

Those who reside in Tasmania can apply for a voucher through the website at www.makeyourselfathome.com.au or the call centre on 1800 344 077 and will be able to make use of them until November 2020.