Support for the tourism industry
The naturally occurring algal bloom is affecting some coastal areas in South Australia, which has had a serious impact on marine life and the industries that rely on it — especially fishing, aquaculture and tourism.
The Coast is Calling Travel Vouchers
Coastal tourism regions impacted by the algal bloom will benefit from a new travel voucher program calling on South Australians to travel this Spring and Summer.
The Coast is Calling Travel Voucher program, delivered by the South Australian Tourism Commission, saw 20,000 vouchers for accommodation and experiences valued up to $500 released in September, boosting bookings to eligible tourism operators until the end of November 2025.
Coast is Calling Travel Vouchers Round 2 is coming soon. For more details and key dates to mark in your calendar, click here.
The Summer Plan Dining Cashback program
The new Summer Plan Dining Cashback program is aimed at supporting hospitality businesses in coastal postcodes impacted by the algal bloom.
The program will see 300,000 South Australians receive 50% cashback of up to $50 off their meal this summer.
The first 60,000 dining cashbacks will be available through a public ballot opening Monday 3 November, to be redeemed at participating businesses up to Sunday 7 December 2025.
A further four draws of 60,000 cashback opportunities will be held for dining periods spanning December, January, February and March.
Businesses can register to participate from Monday 20 October.
Find out more about the Summer Plan Dining Cashback program here.
The Coast is Calling marketing campaign
The Coast is Calling Travel Voucher and Summer Plan Dining Cashback programs will work in tandem with the Coast is Calling Marketing campaign. South Australia’s coastline has been shaped by nature, but it’s defined by the people, the experiences, and the communities that give it character. This marketing campaign will highlight those characters while inspiring South Australians to answer the call of the coast and book their coastal trip.
What other support is available for algal bloom impacted businesses?
The State and Federal Governments have released a $102.5 million Algal Bloom Summer Plan, to help protect South Australia’s coast, back coastal communities and support the State’s summer lifestyle.
The plan, jointly funded by the State and Federal Governments, will include investment into natural environment, science, research and monitoring, and further investment in backing coastal businesses and communities.
Eligible tourism businesses can apply for $10,000 small business grants. As part of the Algal Bloom Summer Plan, a new round of industry support grants is available for eligible businesses which have already received a grant.
The plan also includes an investment of $2.875 million to extend the public information campaigns through summer, focused on rebuilding confidence and driving visitation to our coastal regions and marine based tourism businesses and promoting the seafood industry and benefits of recreational fishing.
For more information, go to algalbloom.sa.gov.au — the single trusted source of information.
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