Overview
It's that time of year, again. After another 12 months interrupted by the pandemic, summer is almost here, Christmas is creeping closer and you're probably thinking about your end-of-year holiday shenanigans. While jetting overseas is about to become an option for Australians once more, exactly when that'll kick in is set to vary state by state. So, depending on where you live, you still might want to make plans to roam around this very country — and, if you're a Queenslander, South Australian or Western Australian who'd like to head down to Tasmania before 2021 is done and dusted, the Tassie Government wants to give you an extra incentive.
As part of the new Tassie Holiday Voucher Program, the Tasmanian Government is giving away $300 vouchers to use in the state between Thursday, November 4–Friday, December 31. There are 10,000 on offer, and you have to use them in a set way — with $200 available for accommodation and $100 able to be put towards tours and attractions.
When other states have run these types of programs, such as South Australia's 2021 scheme to attract interstate visitors, they've proven immensely popular. Accordingly, the Tassie vouchers are being allocated via ballot, with entries opening at 9am AEDT on Friday, October 29.
Again, these vouchers are only open to residents of Queensland, South Australia and Western Australia, with the ballot closing at 5pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 2. After that, lucky recipients will be informed via email and SMS on Wednesday, November 3. And, to book, you'll be directed to an online Tasmanian tourism marketplace.
Announcing the scheme in a statement, Tasmanian Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Sarah Courtney said that the Tassie Government knows "that visitors from Victoria and New South Wales traditionally make up 70 percent of total interstate visitation to Tasmania, and the ongoing border restrictions with these markets have significantly impacted our visitor economy."
"This program is expected to stimulate travel from interstate markets that currently have open borders with Tasmania, providing vital economic support for our accommodation, tours and attractions sector," the Minister continued.
Border-wise, Tasmania currently doesn't require visitors from Queensland, SA and WA to quarantine; however, it does have rules in place if you're from those states and you've been to a venue in your state that's classed as high-risk. In the latter case, you won't be permitted into Tassie — so, as has always proven wise during the pandemic, keeping an eye on border rules is recommended.
For further details about the Tassie Holiday Voucher Program — or to enter the ballot between 9am AEDT on Friday, October 29–5pm AEDT on Tuesday, November 2 — head to its website.