Victoria’s travel vouchers scheme for seniors is back with a bang

Victoria’s travel vouchers scheme is back with a bang, with 10,000 travel vouchers exclusively available to senior citizens from tomorrow, March 17. The scheme forms part of the state’s generous $200 million business stimulus package designed to boost the tourism economy within the state.

An additional 140,000 vouchers will be released to the Victorian public from Wednesday, March 23, offering senior citizens first priority before the remaining vouchers are snatched up by thousands of eager residents.

The travel vouches will mean Victoria’s lucky seniors will be entitled to a $200 reimbursement on the basis that they spend $400 or more on accomodation, tours and other eligible experiences within Victoria, granted they stay up to two nights in paid accomodation. Seniors will be required to supply a Victorians Seniors Card or Seniors Business Discount Card upon purchase to qualify for the voucher.

The Andrews Government is giving older Victorians a unique chance to snap up travel vouchers – allowing thousands of seniors to enjoy more of Victoria. For details visit: https://t.co/X5x5Ge3r0M pic.twitter.com/t9NjxjD4TS

— Anthony Carbines MP (@ACarbinesMP) March 15, 2022

The scheme returns in a bid to reinvigorate Victoria’s ailing tourism sector following the Covid-19 outbreak in 2019 which saw Australia’s tourism industry suffer immensely for a number of years.

According to Minister for Disability, Ageing and Carers, Anthony Carbines, the new travel vouchers deal will be particularly beneficial for older Victorians, who will now be afforded a “unique chance” to apply for the vouchers before younger generations of Victorian’s battle it out for the enticing deals.

“This gives Victorian seniors a unique chance to snap up travel vouchers through an exclusive round, allowing thousands of seniors to enjoy more of Victoria,” he said.

Previous travel voucher initiatives have received so much attention in the past that the website used to purchase the vouchers crashed under the traffic.

Acting Minister for Tourism, Sport and Major events, Mary-Anne Thomas, revealed that previous rounds of the vouchers had proven overwhelmingly positive for the state’s economy, which saw over $159 million generated from previous releases of regional and Melbourne travel vouchers.

“The travel voucher program has helped encourage Victorians to explore the best of our state, while supporting local businesses and jobs,” she said.

“We want people to explore our great state and provide a boost to tourism businesses as the sector continues its recovery from the impact of the pandemic.”

The announcement comes alongside promising news for Australia’s tourism industry, after the Federal Government officially announced yesterday, March 15, that they would not renew the long-standing cruise ships ban in Australia, allowing cruise ship travel to commence form April 17.