WA Govt Hopes to Boost Tourism With Hotel Vouchers

Perth, Australia (E Travel Blog)

The Western Australia (WA) government on Monday announced a hotel discount campaign hoping to stimulate intrastate travel and boost the business of Perth hotels.

WA Premier Mark McGowan took to Facebook to unveil the “Stay, Play and Save” campaign which offers a $200 ($154 USD) discount on “mid-week getaway” hotel stays at participating hotels in Perth and the Swan Valley.

“Not only is this a great excuse to get away for a couple of days, but it will give a much-needed boost to our local hotels hit hard by the COVID-19 pandemic,” the Premier said.

Up to AU$1 million (US$770,384) have been diverted away from international and interstate marketing for this campaign and limited vouchers are available.

Surfers catch some waves at Trigg Beach, Perth, Australia on April 10, 2020. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

The discounts are only available with hotel packages costing at least $400 ($308 USD) and a minimum two-night stay from Sunday to Thursday.

The campaign also includes “all-inclusive packages, discounts for four-night stays, dinner vouchers and free parking.”

Tourism Minister Paul Papalia supported the initiative stating that “There’s so much happening in the city over the next few months, with the Fringe and Perth festivals bringing plenty of entertainment, it’s a great excuse for a mid-week stay in the CBD.”

A kangaroo hops at Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Perth, Australia, on Feb. 13, 2019. (Paul Kane/Getty Images)

Australian Hotels Association WA CEO Bradley Woods also strongly encourages West Australians to take advantage of the deals.

“At the moment, there really isn’t much business going on in the hotels, because they’re running on average around 35% and that includes the hotels that are doing the COVID quarantine business as well,” Woods said in an interview with 6PR.

The list of participating hotels will be available on the Experience Perth website by Friday, Jan. 29 and locals have until Feb. 19 to make bookings. The campaign will cover travels up until the end of April.