Thursday, 10 December 2020

Ministers statements: regional tourism package

Mr PAKULA (Keysborough—Minister for Industry Support and Recovery, Minister for Trade, Minister for Business Precincts, Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events, Minister for Racing) (14:15): Earlier today I was pleased to launch the $28 million regional travel voucher scheme. The scheme will give Victorians an added incentive to explore our state by providing up to 120 000 vouchers to Victorian residents. Those vouchers can be used for accommodation, tourism attractions or tours undertaken in regional Victoria, the Yarra Ranges and the Mornington Peninsula. Having had family holidays to Kyneton, to the King Valley and to the Mornington Peninsula just last week, I can say that all of this state is a magnificent place to visit. Victorians will be able to seek reimbursement of $200 if they have spent at least $400. The first round of vouchers will be available from 10.00 am tomorrow, with 40 000 released for travel between Saturday, 12 December, and Friday, 22 January. Additional lots of 40 000 vouchers will become available on 20 January for travel between 27 January and 1 April and on 30 March for travel between 6 April and 31 May, spreading the benefit for regional communities well into the year.

In 2019 Victorians spent $28 billion on travel outside of Victoria. By comparison, only $9 billion was spent on intrastate overnight travel in Victoria. Even a small conversion of some of that interstate and overseas travel would generate significant additional economic benefits for the state. The $28 million regional travel voucher scheme is just part of a much bigger $465 million tourism recovery package announced in the budget. The package includes almost $300 million in infrastructure funding, including for flagship projects in iconic locations, including Gippsland, the Great Ocean Road, Wilsons Prom and the Grampians; and $58 million in funding for Visit Victoria to drive demand in the three key markets—intrastate, interstate and international. That is significant investment in tourism in the budget, a near unprecedented commitment by our government to revitalise our visitor economy and position it for long-term sustainable growth.