Voucher boost not reaching everyone

REGIONAL tourism operators are receiving a muchneeded boost as hundreds of keen Tasmanian travellers redeem their travel vouchers.

However, not everyone is reaping the benefits, with many Hobart operators missing out on new bookings.

Since the Make Yourself at Home vouchers were snapped up, a state government spokesman said about 200 already had been redeemed through the online system.

Ben Hutchinson, of Grand Old Duke boutique accommodation at Battery Point, said he’s had just one booking in the past six months.

“We were at 90 per cent occupancy. I think we still run one of the hotels with the highest satisfaction rates in Hobly

BEN HUTCHINSON, OF GRAND OLD DUKE

art,” he said. “As soon as they said we’re not going to open back up until December every booking was cancelled.

“Unfortunately for Hobart, and I’d say most of Tasmania, we rely on imported tourists.”

Mr Hutchinson was unsure how the state’s tourism industry was going to recover.

“I think it’s been a God almighty over-reaction,” he said.

“I’m fairly old myself, but I’m worried for the aspirations of the young entrepreneurs we have. It’s a cruel blow to them.”

Sullivans Cove Apartments manager Alison Stubbs had

noticed things had been quiet, with only one person so far inquiring about using their voucher.

“We’re seeing a bit of movement around the school holidays, but it’s something we usually see anyway,” she said.

On the other side of the spectrum, Dave Gunton said the uptake at his business, Hotel Bruny, had been phenomenal.

“I jumped into our computer system around 3pm or 4pm the day the vouchers went out, and the amount of new bookings for a Monday was virtual

unheard of,” he said. “Every day since it’s been the same story.”

Mr Gunton said they were now cautiously optimistic about their future thanks to the support of fellow Tasmanians.

“Overwhelmingly Tasmanians have been so supportive of our business and other small regional businesses,” he said.

“It’s that beautiful, personal connection of Tasmanians wanting to support people and communities.”

Ashdowns of Dover’s Gary Ashdown said the vouchers had boosted bookings for them, and hoped it would do the same for others.

“We’ve seen an uptake. People are arriving from Monday through to Wednesday, when in the past pre-COVID our bookings would arrive on

Saturdays and Sundays,” he said. They have now seen a 63 per cent increase in bookings compared to September last year.

“We’re now taking bookings for December,” he said.

“I don’t think the season will be as big as usual, but once the borders open up I think people are going to be really keen to travel.”

The state government spokesman said the number of people redeeming their vouchers was expected to grow quickly as more Tasmanians completed their travels.

“We’re hearing lots of good stories from our tourism operators who, anecdotally, are seeing a significant lift in bookings, which is pleasing as this was the aim of the voucher initiative scheme,” they said.

kasey.wilkins@news.com.au

AS SOON AS THEY SAID WE’RE NOT GOING TO OPEN BACK UP UNTIL DECEMBER EVERY BOOKING WAS CANCELLED