Second round of Great State vouchers to boost summer tourism

South Australian Tourism Commission

With the first round of great state vouchers injecting nearly $10 million into South Australia’s visitor economy, a second round will launch just in time for the peak summer holiday period to further stimulate the state’s tourism sector when it needs it most.

Up for grabs on 5 January 2021, the second iteration of the Great State Voucher program valued at more than $2 million, will 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;
  • an extension of the travel booking period to further drive redemption;
  • The inclusion of smaller operators with five or more rooms (a change from 10 or more in the first round).

“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 said.

“This stimulus program is proven to work and with the summer holidays traditionally a peak tourism period, we’re acting now to further bolster tourism businesses and get more South Australians into jobs.”

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 said.

A range of tourism operators from luxury hotels in the city to cabins in caravan parks are expected to sign-up to the second iteration of the scheme, which will launch on 5 January 2021, including brand new properties – Majestic M Suites in North Adelaide, Tom’s Court Hotel and Hotel Indigo in the city, and EOS by SkyCity on Adelaide’s riverbank.

One of those luxury CBD hotels which will open its doors in time for the second round is Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets – the first Hotel Indigo in Australia, joining over 126 Hotel Indigo hotels across the world.

General Manager Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets, Thomas Zinn said the global hotel brand is excited for its launch into the country when it opens its doors in Adelaide’s Gouger Street precinct in 2021, just in time to leverage the tourism stimulus scheme.

“Hotel Indigo has paved its way across the globe as a truly fascinating neighbourhood brand, and we cannot wait to bring the experience to visitors and locals in Adelaide when we open in February 2021,” Mr Zinn said.

“The launch of the Great State Voucher program has been a tremendous buoy for South Australia’s travel industry. The volume of uptake is a promising indicator of South Australians’ enthusiasm to get out and explore their backyard again and Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets is thrilled to be a part of it, when we open in February.”

“With our ideal location right next door to the iconic Adelaide Central Market and near the newly renovated Her Majesty’s Theatre, Hotel Indigo Adelaide Markets will be the perfect escape for locals and interstate travellers looking for a new way to connect with Adelaide. We know our guests will be wowed by the oversized rooms and suites, our indulgent bathrooms, the unexpected design touches that bring the neighbourhood to life and of course Merrymaker, our show-stopping rooftop bar.”

Another new luxury hotel opening its doors in time for the second voucher scheme, is Majestic M Suites in the picturesque North Adelaide.

A project of South Australian owned and operated Majestic Hotels & Apartments, Majestic M Suites will offer 91 beautifully appointed 1-3 bedroom suites, with those on the higher floors capturing panoramic views of Adelaide Oval and the city.

Majestic Hotels & Apartments’ Alex Ridgway said they are “looking forward to the second voucher campaign and the inclusion of interstate visitors, which taps directly into the important visiting friends and relatives (VFR) market.”

“The boost to South Australia’s tourism economy over the summer months will help towards rebuilding our domestic tourism sector, and we are thrilled to announce the inclusion of our sixth, and newest property, Majestic M Suites, in round two of the vouchers,” Ms Ridgway said.

“Our involvement in the latest campaign will generate additional interest and demand before the doors of this highly anticipated property open in early 2021.”

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 onto southaustralia.com/voucher on 5 January (time to be announced) 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.

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