Voucher ballot opens, more support for tourism & hospitality, get involved in #GoToTown & more...
A new Federal and State jointly-funded package announced today will provide further financial support to small and medium tourism and hospitality businesses impacted by ongoing COVID restrictions.
It comes as we open the ballot for the Great State Experiences Vouchers today, getting vouchers into the hands of South Australians as soon as Thursday – and even more next week, when we open the ballot for Great State Accommodation Vouchers.
With over 90,000 vouchers available for use across our state’s tourism industry from now until December, we’re boosting bookings for tours, experiences, and accommodation at a key time.
Spring is a sensational time for an SA getaway and with both rounds rolling out, there’s double the opportunity – I’m urging South Australians who snap up an experience voucher to book an overnight stay, and those with an accommodation voucher to book a tour. It’s estimated the next two rounds will bring the economic impact up around $90 million pumped into our visitor economy.
We also continue our #GoToTown campaign and get ready to kick off the FOMO Fridays initiative, starting this Friday for four weeks.
Read on for details of these and other updates for our tourism sector – including a call-out for the 2022 Tasting Australia associated events and tickets on sale for TiCSA’s annual SA Tourism Awards gala dinner.
Rodney Harrex
Chief Executive
Support for small tourism & hospitality businesses impacted by COVID-19
A new jointly-funded package from the Commonwealth and South Australian Governments is giving local small and medium tourism and hospitality related businesses impacted by ongoing trading restrictions and border closures further financial support.
Funding is not intended to be used to support individual business expansion plans, but is targeted towards recovery in sectors and across the economy.
The new package includes:
A COVID-19 Tourism and Hospitality Support Grant for businesses in eligible tourism and hospitality sectors (and other sectors such as performing arts, creative artists, taxis and car rental) that have already received the COVID-19 Additional Business Support Grant as follows:
- A grant of $3,000 for employing businesses with turnover less than $2 million
- A grant of $10,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $2 million
- A grant of $20,000 for employing businesses with turnover of greater than $5 million
- A grant of $1,000 for non-employing businesses
A new COVID-19 Business Hardship Grant of $6,000 for employing businesses with annual payrolls below $10 million and $2,000 for non-employing businesses who have experienced a minimum 50 per cent reduction in turnover over the eligible period and haven’t been eligible for previous business grant support since July 2021.
Increased funding for the State-funded Major Events Support Grant – providing grants of up to $100,000 for large cancelled or postponed events, where attendees at the event were expected to be greater than 10,000, recognising the significant costs incurred with large events. For eligible events that have already applied for the $25,000 grant, they will now receive a top up of up to a further $75,000 to bring total assistance to $100,000.
Any questions about the Business Support Grant, contact: [email protected].
More details at: treasury.sa.gov.au.
Great State Experiences Vouchers – up for grabs now
The ballot is now open for round five of our Great State Voucher scheme, with tens of thousands of vouchers to use on hosted tours and experiences from as soon as this Thursday.
Next Monday, 20 September, the ballot for round six – Great State Accommodation Vouchers – will open and get South Australians booking hotels and accommodation across our state from next Thursday.
With more than 90,000 vouchers available, the upcoming rounds will bring the total estimated economic impact of the scheme to more than $90 million.
Experience and accommodation operators, such as EcoCaddy and Majestic M Suites, reported a "huge increase" in new local customers and "welcome the offer with open arms" to drive intrastate tourism at a pivotal time.
For details, see our media release here.
#GoToTown and FOMO Fridays – get involved
A reminder to city-based operators there's still time to get involved in our #GoToTown campaign. As we work to drive visitation and expenditure back into Adelaide CBD, city-based operators are invited to create a deal or offer on the Australian Tourism Data Warehouse – which will be featured at southaustralia.com/gototown and promoted via print, outdoor, radio, social, digital and PR.
As part of #GoToTown, the new FOMO Fridays initiative – a partnership with the SATC, City of Adelaide, Adelaide Economic Development Agency, and the Property Council SA – will offer free activities, and street and laneway activations to entice city workers back into the CBD.
FOMO Fridays kicks off this Friday 17 September and runs each Friday for four weeks. Operators are invited to host an event or activation as part of FOMO Fridays.
For more information, see our Go To Town industry support page.
Be part of Tasting Australia 2022
Do you want to be part of Australia’s premier eating and drinking festival? Applications are now open for the 2022 Tasting Australia Associated Events.
With the 2021 festival attracting over 50,000 people into the city’s Town Square and more than 90 events having sold out across Adelaide and regional SA, the Associated Events provide an incredible platform for hospitality operators to gain valuable exposure, and drive people and dollars into their business.
Applications are open until 27 October. Find out more and apply at: tastingaustralia.com.au.
Barossa Contemporary – tickets on sale
Tickets for the preview program for one of our new Bloom collective major events – Barossa Contemporary – are on sale. From 8-9 October, the festival will showcase the unique and diverse spirit of the Barossa, through music, food, art and innovation.
It follows a successful Auburn Frenchfest held in the Clare Valley over the weekend, one of the events promoted to more audiences as part of Bloom.
To see the full program of events, go to bloomadl.com.au.
Tourism Awards gala dinner – tickets on sale
Tickets are on sale for the Tourism Industry Council of SA (TiCSA) 2021 South Australian Tourism Awards Gala Dinner.
Held on 4 November at Adelaide Oval and supported by the South Australian Tourism Commission, this year's gala dinner is themed 'DISCOver SA'. The winners of the 2021 SA Tourism Awards will be announced at the event, celebrating business excellence, innovation and reward exceptional customer service in the industry.
When: Thursday, 4 November 2021 | 6pm
Where: Adelaide Oval | enter via South Gate
RSVP: Before 28 October.
More information and to book: ticsa.com.au.
See the full Industry Update – 13 September 2021 here.