Tourism vouchers to encourage spending on hospitality and accommodation in metropolitan Melbourne will finally be released tomorrow morning, three months after the Liberal Nationals originally proposed the initiative.
The Andrews Labor Government has completely missed the opportunity to breathe life back into the CBD over the summer period, blatantly ignoring the Liberal Nationals’ proposal in December 2020 to make available vouchers to entice tourists back into the CBD.
Instead, the arrogant Labor Government conveniently waited until after its five-day snap lockdown over Valentine’s Day which brought hospitality and accommodation businesses to their knees, to release the vouchers.
It’s too little, too late for the Andrews Labor Government to try and play the hero. The vouchers should have been announced and actioned three months ago.
Comments attributable to Shadow Minister for Tourism, Major Events and Sport, Cindy McLeish:
“Tourism, hospitality and accommodation businesses in metropolitan Melbourne have been struggling for a year now. They were forced to shed thousands of jobs during 2020, hold their breath over summer and shut down on Valentine’s Day.
“The Andrews Labor Government needed to give hospitality and accommodation businesses a fighting chance months ago.
“The Liberal Nationals called for city-based travel vouchers months ago. We’ve seen devastating hit after hit for hospitality and accommodation businesses in metropolitan Melbourne.”
