The state government is offering up to $100 in hotel accommodation vouchers

Quash cabin fever with a partly subsidised staycation in the Adelaide CBD and across the state as of next month.

Words: Angela Skujins
Main image: Sven Kovac

SPECIAL REPORT: COVID-19 ADELAIDE

Adelaide Oval Hotel, Crowne Plaza, Mayfair Hotel and Middleton Beach Huts are some venues that have already signed up to participate in the recently unveiled state government coupon program, lovingly titled the Great State voucher.

Remarks

The state government is partly paying for your SA hotel stay.
Thursday, 15 October ’til Friday, 11 December. Saturday night stays not included.

The Great State vouchers can be used in luxury hotels to cabins in caravan parks – the press release omits mention of motels – and vacationers can get $100 off for stays in CBD venues and $50 off for stays in regional and suburban accommodation.

Vouchers can be acquired from Thursday, 15 October up to Saturday, 31 October for sojourns happening from 31 October to Friday, 11 December. Discounts aren’t applicable for Saturday night stays.

The state government has pumped $4 million into the scheme with the aim to boost visitor economy and local jobs. In a press release, Premier Steven Marshall says the package would provide a shot in the arm for our $7.8 billion visitor economy and the $40,000 people it employs.

When CityMag asked the Premier’s media advisor why regional destinations were only allocated $50 vouchers, compared to the CBD’s $100, we were directed to the Premier’s discussion with ABC Radio Adelaide journalist Ali Clarke from Monday morning.

The state government had seen a “real problem” in the CBD’s hotel sector due to a lack of interstate and overseas visitors, the Premier said, but the regions were doing “extremely well”.

Metro and regional hotels could still use a mid-week boost though – hence Saturdays being ruled out.

The news comes three months after the state opposition pitched a similar tourism voucher scheme to the tune of $200, and almost one month since Britain ended its Eat Out to Help Out Scheme. This program offered vouchers that would pay for half food and non-alcoholic drinks to support restaurants, cafes bars or pubs affected by the economic impacts of the coronavirus.

Visit the South Australian Tourism Commission website for more info.