Enthusiastic Victorians secured 30,000 vouchers for travel in regional Victoria in little more than half an hour today, in a win for summer holiday-makers, as well as businesses and workers around the state.
The $200 vouchers were taken up in just 31 minutes, bringing the total allocated in the first round of the Andrews Labor Government's Regional Travel Voucher Scheme to 70,000.
The dedicated application platform welcomed a peak audience of 72,000 page views per minute as Victorians again demonstrated their desire to hit the road over the holidays.
The first round of vouchers can be claimed for travel until Friday, 22 January. For Victorian residents who have not yet secured a voucher, there will be further chances in coming months.
A further 40,000 vouchers will be released on 20 January for travel between 27 January and 1 April, and 40,000 more on 30 March for travel between 6 April and 31 May.
Successful applicants can redeem their voucher after completing their travel and providing proof they spent at least $400 on accommodation, experiences, tours or attractions in regional Victoria, the Yarra Ranges or the Mornington Peninsula.
Travellers must also spend at least two nights in paid accommodation as part of the voucher conditions.
The extra 30,000 vouchers were made available after many people experienced delays when the application landing page was forced offline for extended periods on Friday. The initial 40,000 allocation was exhausted by Friday night.
Any vouchers not presented for payment in the first and second rounds of the scheme will be added to the 30 March allocation.
Vouchers are limited to one per household. For more information, visit vic.gov.au/regional-travel-voucher-scheme.
As stated by Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major Events Jaclyn Symes
"After a tough year, these vouchers will help people travel who may not have otherwise had the means and allow others to stay longer in our beautiful coastal towns, High Country and everywhere in-between."
"More visitors means more money in the tills of local businesses and more jobs for workers across the state as we gear up for a COVIDSafe summer and a very different 2021."
