Limestone Coast tourism operators are set to benefit from a new stimulus package to support the region after it was impacted by additional COVID restrictions earlier this month.
Discounts of $100 will be available for South Australians when booking with partnering local travel agents, Phil Hoffmann Travel and Holidays of Australia.
It will support operators from the Coonawarra wine region and Naracoorte to the coastal towns of Kingston and Robe, and those nearer the border in Mount Gambier – boosting bookings for tours, experiences and accommodation.
Premier Steven Marshall announced the targeted tourism stimulus during a visit to Mount Gambier and said it “would be a shot in the arm for businesses and support jobs in a region that had felt the brunt of COVID restrictions”.
“With $100 off holidays for South Australians, on top of the recent cash grants we provided to businesses across the Lower South East, we’re doing everything we can to drive the economic recovery of this region,” Premier Marshall said.
“The Limestone Coast is worth $418m to South Australia’s visitor economy, and tourism businesses have done it tough with additional trading restrictions brought in earlier this month and the extended border closure to Victoria.
“To all South Australians who are planning their holidays – I say, take a summer break in our state’s South East and save – you’ll be supporting this incredible part of SA and supporting fellow South Australians’ jobs.”
South Australians over 18 will receive a $100 discount on tours, experiences, accommodation and travel packages in the Limestone Coast tourism region, when booking with either Phil Hoffmann Travel or Holidays of Australia, and have a minimum spend of $300.
The $100 off holidays in the Limestone Coast will go on sale in November, for immediate travel until January 31.
Independent Member for Mount Gambier Troy Bell has welcomed the announcement after earlier this month lobbying the State Government to allocate specific vouchers for the Limestone Coast following the imposition of COVID density restrictions during the school holidays, which impacted heavily on local businesses.
“Any financial incentive to visit the Limestone Coast is very welcome and this will be a great support to all those accommodation and tourism providers who experienced losses during our week of restrictions,” he said.
“Summer is a great time to visit the Limestone Coast and I thank Premier Marshall for listening to my call for tourism incentives and giving our region a much-needed boost.
“However, these incentives are different to the Great State vouchers in that people will have to book through two major travel companies, both based in capital cities, who are probably getting government rebates.”
Mr Bell said he was concerned to see local travel agents “who have been very badly affected by the pandemic, have been left out of the picture”.
“No one knows the Limestone Coast better than someone who lives and works here and by cutting out local travel agencies, that all local knowledge is lost,” he said.
“There’s also not a self-booking option, which is the way many people like to travel these days.
“I would hope the full financial benefit flows onto our operators and is not lost through booking agent fees.
“So whilst a great incentive, there are improvements to be made, through adding the option to book direct or through a Limestone Coast travel agent.”
