The NSW budget announced yesterday has flagged $100 in hospitality vouchers for every adult in the State in a $500 million bid to help re-start the sector.
The budget has earmarked four $25 ‘Out & About vouchers‘, to be spent on dining out and entertainment. They cannot be spent on alcohol, cigarettes or gambling.
Two vouchers must be used at foodservice retailers, the other two for general entertainment, such as cinemas, theatres, or amusement parks.
There is set to be a trial in December in the Sydney CBD and if successful it will become available through the ServiceNSW app, available HERE on Android or HERE on iPhones, early next year.
Hotels must be registered as COVID-safe, and need to register to be part of the scheme.
The vouchers may yet come with further conditions, such as only to be used in off-peak times, Monday through Thursday. This has not yet been confirmed, but Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said government hopes residents will spend more than just the $25 per transaction.
“The dining and entertainment industries were among the hardest hit by the pandemic and I would encourage people to utilise this scheme once it is up and running, and to make sure they spend a bit extra on the way through too.”
The budget is aiming to see the unemployment rate drop from the current 7.5 per cent to 5.25 per cent within four years. Pre-pandemic, NSW hotels were directly employing 75,000 people across the state, and are a key part of the recovery.
Other measures in the budget brings changes to Payroll Tax, with a temporary reduction for two years and a permanent threshold increase, as well as $1,500 in digital vouchers for small and medium businesses.
The AHA NSW has welcomed the budget initiatives, and the role they will play in bolstering hotels and hospitality.
“Pubs right across the state are still operating under significant trading restrictions so this is the perfect reason to get down to your local pub, show your support and let the NSW Government shout you a burger or a schnitzel,” said AHA NSW CEO John Whelan.
