South Australian hospitality gets a shot in the arm

Starting this October, South Australians booking a ‘staycation’ at select CBD, suburban and regional hotels will be offered $50 to $100 vouchers in an effort to boost the State’s struggling tourism industry.

The new $4 million ‘Great State’ voucher scheme was unveiled by South Australia’s State Government and will start 15 October. 

The scheme will continue until the end of the month or until all funds are used up.

Vouchers purchased in October will be valid for bookings from 15 October to 11 December, excluding Saturday nights.

Premier Steve Marshall has described this scheme as a “shot in the arm” for the tourism industry.

“This is a call to arms for South Australians to continue to back the local tourism industry by

rewarding themselves with a guilt-free ‘staycation’ in one of our many excellent hotels or accommodation providers,” he said.

Some of the places already signed up for the scheme include the CBD’s Mayfair Hotel, New Adelaide Oval Hotel, Crowne Plaza, and Hilton Adelaide.

The new stimulus measure was welcomed by Australian Hotels Association chief executive Ian Horne.

“Border closures and travel restrictions due to COVID-19 have resulted in a significant decrease in overnight stays in the city … so hotel operators have been really struggling,” Mr Horne said.

Chief executive of South Australian Tourism Commission, Rodney Harrex, said, “We’re already hearing some incredible rates from CBD hotels who have signed up. That, with our discount of $100 means South Australians will be able to stay in 5 star rooms in the city for prices they have never seen before.”

However there is opposition … from the State opposition. 

The Labor Party has criticised the scheme saying that many tourism businesses were not included. A large number of accommodation providers that have less than 10 rooms were also left out, with other businesses such as hospitality and tours ineligible. 

Labor’s tourism spokeswoman Zoe Bettison has been calling for a $200 statewide voucher and said she finds the offering of $50-$100 ‘very stingy’. 

Overall, the reception has been positive.

This scheme follows a similar path taken by the Northern Territory and Tasmania: NT has a tourism voucher worth up to $200, where they are matching what travellers spend.

Tasmanians can access $100 per adult for accommodation and $50 towards an ‘experience’.