The third - and final round - of the River Revival Voucher program will open in February next year, to further help businesses and communities hit hard by last summer's once-in-a-century flood event.
The ballot for the vouchers will be open to residents in SA, and cross border communities in Victoria and New South Wales, from 19-20 February, for travel between 22 February and 30 June 2024.
An expression of interest for tourism operators in the Murray River, Lakes and Coorong and Riverland regions to take part in the voucher scheme will be open from January 29 to February 4 next year.
The voucher types that will be available are:
- $100 experience vouchers
- $100 accommodation vouchers for a minimum one-night stay
- $200 accommodation vouchers for a minimum two-night stay
- $750 houseboats/guided tour vouchers with a minimum $1500 spend inclusive of the $750 voucher.
The program is part of the Government of South Australia's $4.6 million River Murray tourism recovery plan, which aims to stimulate visitation and expenditure in flood-affected communities.
Riverbend Caravan Park and Waikerie Holiday Park CEO Stephen Edwards said the first two rounds of the voucher program had been a lifesaver for tourism operators.
“With the vouchers generating bookings and revenue throughout the usual off-peak periods, our parks and other tourism operators have been able to recoup a portion of the significant revenue lost during the flood months,” Mr Edwards said.
"The announcement of a third round of vouchers is positive for all operators in the river regions, but it is especially good news for those who will have only just reopened."
The first two rounds of the River Revival Voucher program pumped $10.7 million into the impacted regions.
The second round nearly doubled the impact of the first round, with more than 8000 bookings made for accommodation, experiences, houseboats and guided tours, worth $7.6 million.
For more information, visit River Revival Vouchers.
