Explore SA’s Riverland with the third and final round of River Revival Vouchers
A third and final round of the River Revival Voucher program opens today, a great opportunity to explore what’s on offer along the amazing Murray River and a further boost to visitation and expenditure in the regions in 2024.
The River Revival Voucher program has so far pumped an estimated $10.7 million into South Australia’s Murray River regions, driving recovery for businesses and communities hit hard by the once-in-a-century flooding event last summer.
More than doubling the impact of the first round, round two of the vouchers injected more than $7.6 million in economic impact into the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions, with a total of 8008 bookings across accommodation, experience, houseboat, and guided tour providers.
Tourism Research Australia data demonstrates the flood recovery efforts of the State Government through the South Australian Tourism Commission have driven visitor expenditure beyond pre flood levels. In the year to June 2023, visitor spend in the Riverland and Murray River, Lakes & Coorong regions reached a combined $562 million – well up on the $436 million spent in the year to September 2022, prior to the flooding event.
The South Australian Tourism Commission surveyed people who redeemed a voucher in the second round, with results showing that the $750 houseboat voucher injected almost $2.5 million into the regions, with an average spend of $2300 per trip, excluding the value of the voucher.
The houseboat voucher, designed to support operators who had lost their key summer trade in 2022/23, also was particularly successful in encouraging visitors to regions that would not have otherwise occurred, with 78% of users indicating they were not intending on taking such a trip prior to receiving a voucher. It also helped to bring larger numbers into the regions, with the voucher type bringing in parties of 5 or more.
Caravan parks also fared well through the voucher program, making up five of the top 10 highest number of voucher bookings, and particularly popular with the $100 and $200 accommodation category.
Almost 1000 voucher holders were surveyed by the SATC, seeking information about additional spending while using the voucher, such as local shopping, food and drink, entertainment, tours and activities.
It followed the first round generating an estimated $3.1 million into the river regions, which provided an immediate boost for tourism businesses impacted by the once-in-a-century flood last summer.
A ballot for the third round of vouchers will open to residents in South Australia, and cross border communities in Victoria, and New South Wales from 19 until 20 February.
The travel period will run from 22 February until 30 June 2024 and follows the traditionally bumper holiday season, which operators lost last summer.
The River Revival Voucher program is part of the State Government’s $4.6 million tourism support package for flood-affected communities, which also includes the ‘Rise Up for our River’ marketing campaign and Mid Murray Tourism Recovery Fund.
River Revival Vouchers “a lifesaver” for tourism operators
Stephen Edwards, Chief Executive Officer of Edwards Group (including Riverbend Caravan Park and Waikerie Holiday Park) said the first two rounds of the River Revival Voucher programs were a lifesaver for tourism operators in the river regions affected by 2022 floods.
“Our Parks were fortunate to redeem over 500 vouchers in round two of the River Revival Voucher program, which helped us along the recovery process as well as benefited the entire region with guests spending money at local retailers.”
The third and final round of the River Revival Voucher program will include $100 Experience Vouchers, $100 and $200 Accommodation Vouchers and Guided Tour and Houseboat Vouchers to the value of $750.
For full Terms and Conditions and to enter the ballot for a River Revival Voucher when it opens on 19 February 2024, click here.
