The NSW Government this month launches its Dine & Discover voucher scheme offering citizens $100 to spend, joining initiatives around the country.
The goal of Dine & Discover is to boost discretionary spending in key industries, such as hotels, cafes and restaurants, which according to the ABS reported trade still down close to 30 per cent nationally in December.
NSW residents aged 18 and above will be eligible to receive four $25 vouchers via the Service NSW App to spend at the likes of pubs and clubs, cafes and restaurants, and cinemas and museums. A full list of participating venues is available at Service NSW.
Two of the vouchers may be used in foodservice (restaurants, cafes, pubs, clubs, bars). This must be a seated, dine-in meal, from Monday to Thursday, and cannot be used for takeaway, alcohol, tobacco or gambling.
The other two vouches must be used for entertainment and recreation, such as live music, arts venues and cultural institutions.
Participants will use their smartphone to load vouchers through the Service NSW App, which has become the most widely used check-in system in NSW venues, utilising a QR code.
Registered businesses are subsequently reimbursed by the government.
It should be noted that the vouchers can only be used at NSW businesses that are both registered for participation and as COVID Safe, and are valid to 30 June 2021.
Vouchers cannot be used on public holidays or redeemed for cash, nor for online-only services, takeaway and food delivery orders. Only one voucher can be used per day at an individual business.
Hospitality has continued to be impacted by COVID-19 travel restrictions, capacity limits and reduced public events. Following a pilot in The Rocks and Broken Hill in February and further testing in Sydney’s inner-city, Northern Beaches and Bega Valley in late February, Dine & Discover was slated for launch on 1 March.
But despite the preparation, technical errors have manifested and vouchers are not yet available. A spokesperson for Service NSW has reported the scheme will be online very soon.
Businesses can register HERE.
Dine & Discover follows a major new campaign by Tourism Australia to encourage travel to the major cities, promoting dining, retail and entertainment opportunities. This continues the agency’s work in the aftermath of the bushfires, which brought its ‘Holiday Here This Year’ campaign in early 2020.
Victoria has also initiated sector support with its $28 million Regional Travel Voucher scheme of December, where Victorians were reimbursed $200 for trips to regional areas of the state. The scheme’s success led to a second round in January and Round 3 applications will open late March.
