Thousands of Tasmanians have already jumped online today in a bid to score free $100 tourism vouchers, as the state government rolls out the $10 million scheme to give local businesses a much-needed winter boost.
More than 7,000 people visited the ‘Eat Local, Stay Local’ registration site in the first hour, with 300 applications submitted within 30 minutes of the program going live at 10am.
Premier Jeremy Rockliff said the scheme is designed to act both as an economic stimulus and a bit of cost-of-living relief for local families.
“Today is a great day,” he said. “Our $100 vouchers are available, a $10 million commitment from our government to boost our tourism and hospitality sectors during the quieter months of the winter.”
The vouchers target the off-season slump, when hotel occupancy rates drop from summer highs of 80–90% to around 50%, making it tough for many operators to keep staff on and cover expenses.
Tasmanian Hospitality Association CEO Steve Old said he hopes people will use their vouchers right across the state.
“Winter’s proven over a long period that it’s tough time for our hospitality operators,” Old said. “To have the injection of having these vouchers out as a program for us, the hospitality industry, in winter is a cracking idea.”
Tourism employs one in six Tasmanians and according to government figures, every dollar spent by visitors generates an extra 84 cents in the local economy.
Locals have two weeks to register for the vouchers, which will be allocated through a ballot system.
The $100 amount will cover “a good dinner for two” per person at most venues, according to Lost in Asia director Travis Oddie, whose restaurant opened just a month ago.
“In the middle of winter, the locals are your bread and butter that keep you afloat and the tourists are icing on top,” he said. “A voucher scheme like this definitely will be very important for bringing people in the door.”
The scheme builds on a similar COVID-era initiative and lines up with the return of the Dark Mofo festival, which historically boosts June visitor numbers in and around the capital.
Labor’s Shadow Treasurer Josh Willie believes the plan is reckless at a time when the state’s debt is forecast to near $11 billion.
“[The Premier] has presided over the biggest infrastructure stuff-up in Tasmania’s history. That has hurt the economy and what’s his answer to that? Throwing taxpayers’ money away. Debt-funded, taxpayers’ money,” Willie said.
“What business confidence needs, what the economy needs, is predictability, certainty and when a government says it’s going to deliver something, it does it.”
Rockliff defended the scheme as “wise” and “good value for money”, saying it supports small businesses and encourages Tasmanians to get “out and about” this winter.
The registration period runs for two weeks, after which successful applicants will be notified by email.
