Call to reassess tourism support

The impact of a stage-three lockdown in Melbourne on regional tourism has prompted a call for the State Government to review its level of support for tourism accommodation businesses.

Member for Lowan Emma Kealy said while reintroducing stage-three restrictions in metropolitan areas was ‘absolutely’ necessary to control COVID-19, it came with a heavy price for many businesses, including tourism operators in her electorate.

“While regional areas such as ours have been spared going back to stage-three restrictions, which we are grateful for, we are still feeling the pain,” she said.

“Businesses have reported mass cancellations, representing thousands of dollars in lost income at a time when many are more desperate for it than ever.

“The government’s Tourism Accommodation Support Program is now grossly out of step with the massive effect of lockdowns and border closures we’re facing in Victoria. I am calling for an urgent review to ensure our tourism businesses receive the level of support they need.”

Ms Kealy said the fund provided payments of up to $225 per booking per night for each cancelled booking from people in 10 Melbourne postcodes, where lockdowns were introduced at the end of June.

The fund only applies to bookings between July 1 and July 29.

“All of Melbourne is now under stay-at-home restrictions until at least the middle of August, and residents in other states have been advised not to travel to Victoria unless for essential reasons,” Ms Kealy said.

“This means there are a huge amount of other bookings that have been cancelled but are not covered by the support program.

“The criteria needs to be reviewed to ensure any accommodation provider that has been affected by the new restrictions is eligible for this much-needed support.” • Halls Gap businesses change focus, page 25.

“Businesses have reported mass cancellations, representing thousands of dollars in lost income” – Emma Kealy