The state government has announced a second round of accommodation vouchers to help stimulate the South Australian tourism sector.

The government claims the first round of Great State vouchers injected nearly $10 million into South Australia’s visitor economy, and says the second round is valued at more than $2 million.

Available to download from 5 January 2021, the program will again provide $100 vouchers for use at participating CBD and North Adelaide stays, and $50 vouchers to spend on regional and suburban accommodation.

The scheme will also be expanded to include interstate visitors and an extension of the travel booking period, as well as the inclusion of smaller operators with five or more rooms.

“The first round of vouchers injected millions into our state’s economy, creating tens of thousands of room night bookings and most importantly, sustaining and creating jobs in our tourism industry,” Premier Marshall says.

“We know the summer holidays are traditionally a peak period for our tourism operators, and we are acting now to give travellers another incentive to visit our world class regions and CBD.”

“More than 800 accommodation providers, including operators with five or more rooms, will have the chance to sign up for the scheme, which will help brighten the holidays for South Australians, and entice interstate visitation to South Australia.

“In the first round, more than 50,000 vouchers were released with nearly half of these redeemed by South Australians. With more choice for consumers in the second round about when and where to travel, this is exactly the boost our state’s visitor economy needs as it navigates the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic,” Premier Marshall says.

The booking period for the second round of Great State vouchers will run 7-31 January 2021, for travel from 7 January to 31 March 2021 inclusive (excluding Saturday nights). 

The same process will apply in that consumers will log on to the dedicated site for their chance to secure a voucher and will need a driver’s license or proof of age card for identification purposes.

Consumers will first need to obtain a voucher on 5 January and wait until 7 January to be able to book with it, helping streamline the process for both the consumer and operators.