WITH tough restrictions in place across the country, South Australians have again thrown their support behind the state's tourism industry, breaking Great State Voucher records and booking thousands of SA getaways this winter.
Bookings for the fourth round of the Great State Voucher scheme wrapped up this week, with a record-high redemption rate of 64 per cent - creating more than 34,000 room night bookings across Adelaide and regional SA, and a direct economic injection of more than $18.5 million into the visitor economy. It brings the total economic impact of the scheme to date, to an estimated $64.7m.
Since bookings opened on June 2, around 6500 people have already checked-in to their voucher stay, in addition to the nearly 45,500 people booked in with SA tour and experience operators as part of round three - experiences which are still being enjoyed until the end of next month.
Premier Steven Marshall said the Great State Voucher scheme has yet again proven it is effective and creates an incredible return on investment.
"This is by far the best redemption rate we have seen out of all four rounds of our Great State Voucher scheme and I thank the people of SA for embracing these vouchers and exploring our amazing back yard here in SA," he said.
"As we embark on two weeks of school holidays, I urge all South Australians to get out and explore what SA has to offer - even a day trip is going to massively help our small businesses right across the state."
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SA Tourism Commission chief executive Rodney Harrex said the voucher program has been a lifesaver for tourism operators.
"The outcomes of this program have been sensational for SA's tourism sector - getting people bookings holidays they ordinarily might not have taken, enjoying the city and the regions, and injecting much-needed dollars into the state's economy," he said.
"To think that March saw total visitor expenditure in our state hit almost the same levels as pre-pandemic, at 93 per cent of the expenditure generated in March 2019. This is a phenomenal testament to what we can do as a state when we see 'a little more' of SA."
Latest data shows round four of the voucher scheme is making a positive difference.
Hotel occupancy in Adelaide in the third week of June, hit an average of 60pc for the week. The first 19 days of June saw an average occupancy in CBD hotels of 60%, spurred on by the Sunday night of the long weekend with occupancy of 76pc. This is compared to 71pc in June 2019, and 30pc in June 2020.
Regional SA continues to reach record-highs, with May setting an all-time record for the number of room nights stayed at 71pc - the highest level since 2013 when recording began and coinciding with the travel period for round three.
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