Regional Travel Voucher Scheme

What is the Regional Travel Voucher Scheme?

The Regional Travel Voucher Scheme is a program that will provide eligible Victorians an incentive to explore the state.

Vouchers will be offered to Victorian residents to contribute to the costs of accommodation, tourism attractions or tours undertaken in regional Victoria, including the Yarra Valley, Dandenong Ranges, Mornington Peninsula and the Victorian alpine ski resorts.

 

Background

Regional tourism operators have been severely impacted by the 2019-20 summer bushfires and the more recent coronavirus (COVID-19) travel restrictions. The Regional Travel Voucher Scheme (the ”Scheme”) is designed to help drive visitation to regional Victoria over the first half of 2021 to support businesses and communities to recover.

The Regional Travel Voucher Scheme encourages Victorian residents to visit regional Victoria, stay overnight and take part in the many experiences on offer across the State. The Scheme’s primary aim is to support tourism businesses and the regional economy.

 

Funding

Two travel voucher schemes will encourage Victorians to travel across the state, as our tourism industry recovers from the impacts of COVID-19 and bushfires.

The schemes include:

  • a new Melbourne Travel Voucher Scheme with 40,000 vouchers to support travel in greater Melbourne will launch soon
  • an expanded Regional Travel Voucher Scheme with an additional 10,000 vouchers to support travel in regional Victoria

This brings the total vouchers offered to 200,000 under the travel voucher schemes.

Funding of $200 per household is available as a reimbursement if more than $400 is spent in regional Victoria on Eligible Expenses, during the relevant Eligible Travel Periods.

The Vouchers are available on a first-come-first-served basis.

 

Eligibility

To receive a Regional Travel Voucher you must meet the following eligibility criteria.

You must be:

  • a Victorian resident; and
  • at least 18 years of age.

Your regional visit must:

  • be in a Victorian regional area as listed in the Appendix to these Guidelines. These areas also include the Yarra Valley, Mornington Peninsula and the Victorian alpine ski resorts;
  • be overnight in paid accommodation in regional Victoria for a minimum of two nights, and
  • take place within an Eligible Travel Period (see below).

To claim a $200 reimbursement you must:

  • demonstrate expenditure of at least $400 across one or more of the following categories:
    • paid accommodation, which means serviced apartments, backpacker and hostels, bed and breakfasts, cabins or caravans in holiday parks, caravan and camping site fees, cottages, farm stays, private holiday rentals, houseboats, motels, hotels, resorts, retreats and lodges
    • paid tours and experiences, which means tour operators that offer regularly organised tours with a leisure-tourism focus, organised by experienced guides. These may include a personal host and/or commentary. For example, a boat cruise, guided walk, bus tour, air tour, agri-tourism, food and wine tour, sport tour, outdoor and adventure tour
    • entry fees to regional attractions, which means places/areas of interest that offer a distinct visitor experience to the leisure tourist such as museums, water parks, local attractions, theme parks etc. (“eligible expenses”)
  • ensure eligible expenses related to a trip undertaken during an eligible travel period.

 

Timing

The vouchers are available in rounds. Travel must be undertaken within the eligible travel period for each round as detailed in the table below.

RoundCommencement dateEnd date
#112 December 202022 January 2021
#227 January 20211 April 2021
#36 April 202131 May 2021

 

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