Wagga's accommodation providers are "disappointed" with the unveiling of a new financial boost for tourism in NSW that won't be available in regional areas until early next year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
On Wednesday, Premier Dominic Perrottet announced a new system of Dine and Discover-style vouchers called 'Stay and Rediscover'.
Under the scheme, every NSW adult will have access to a $50 voucher to spend on accommodation in the state as an incentive to boost tourism after a bitter few months of lockdowns.
Any eligible business in the Sydney local government area can register for the program, which Service NSW said would be trialled by a "small number of invited participants" in the city before it is rolled out statewide in March.
For businesses outside Sydney however, registration will not be open until late January - a date that has left Wagga businesses baffled.
IN OTHER NEWS:
The general manager of Wagga's Mantra Pavilion Hotel, Craig Short, said introducing vouchers in March would be all but useless to the city's recovery.
"It's very surprising," Mr Short said. "They're talking about boosting the economy but they have put it five or six months away to encourage people to travel ... I can't see any use in that at all."
In his announcement, Mr Perrottet said the government opted for the March date in order to keep an anticipated Christmas rush continuing.
"We know it's going to be a very bright summer after a very dark winter here in NSW and we want our tourism and accommodation sectors to thrive as we head into 2022," he said.
Tina Jonas, who runs The Lincoln Cottage Motor Inn, said despite the government's confidence in a Christmas rush, she was not seeing evidence of the peak hitting Wagga in current bookings.
"To be honest, in terms of forward bookings at the moment we've had a few bookings, but nothing like a normal season so there's no real indication that rush is coming," Ms Jonas said.
"I think it's a great idea [but] I can't see why they would be holding off.
"We need recovery to start as soon as possible. If you want to get things going, let's get them going now."
Dan Hayes, one of the city's councillors and a Labor for Wagga member, said the decision to limit the pilot program to just Sydney would undoubtedly be "gutting" for local businesses.
"I think going Sydney first and then making regional areas wait five months before it comes here is pretty poor," he said.
AirBnB superhost Glenn Oakman said he thought the later date for the regions was sensible.
"I probably would have preferred to see it sooner but ... I think the timing is good," Mr Oakman said.
"It makes sense to hold off a bit and encourage people to travel at a later stage when we know what's going on."
Our journalists work hard to provide local, up-to-date news to the community. This is how you can continue to access our trusted content:
- Bookmark dailyadvertiser.com.au
- Follow us on Twitter
- Follow us on Instagram
- Follow us on Google News
- Make sure you are signed up for our breaking and regular headlines newsletters