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read moreThe Victoria Tourism Industry Council (VTIC) has welcomed the $534 million business support package announced yesterday by the Victorian Government, saying that it will be “a lifeline for a battered tourism industry”.
Welcoming the support for businesses as a result of the six-week lockdown in Metropolitan Melbourne and Mitchell Shire, VTIC Chief Executive, Felicia Mariani advised “the specific inclusion of further support for tourism accommodation businesses within this package is vital to supporting an industry that has been decimated over the past many months.
“We’ve spoken to operators across the state and heard first-hand the trauma and despair that is pushing this industry to its limits in Victoria. Accommodation properties have experienced 100% cancellations since the Premier’s announcement this week and these businesses are on their knees right now.”
Expansion of the $5 million relief package that was introduced last week when the initial ten postcodes were first locked down has been something VTIC has been calling for as these lockdowns were expanded.
Mariani advised “we’ve been working with (the Victorian) Government over the past few days to provide input into its planning, and we are pleased to see that a $40 million relief fund for accommodation operators is included in today’s business support initiatives.”
Accommodation operators across the state who have experienced cancellations from any of the affected postcodes in Metro Melbourne or Mitchell Shire can apply for a reimbursement of up to $225 per bookable accommodation product for up to a cap of $1,125.
Mariani went on to say “the industry needs to see immediate promotion of region-to-region travel across Victoria so that regional areas that are open can see some visitation return. Region-to-region travel is worth $2.3 billion with 6.4 million visits annually.
“These regional centres across Victoria are not in lockdown and we need to encourage visitors to travel there.
“The additional business support within this $534 million package will also help many tourism businesses who are struggling to stay afloat. In particular, the expansion of the Business Support Fund with further $5,000 grants to 80,000 small businesses in the affected postcodes, and the further deferral of payroll tax into the first half of FY20/21 for eligible businesses with payrolls up to $10 million, will help many businesses to weather this latest crisis.
Mariani added “the $20 million to support businesses in the CBD, Southbank and Docklands is vital as many of our cafes and restaurants across the city have not been able to reactivate over the past many weeks with city workers still working from home and offices empty.
“The additional $30 million for hospitality and the night-time economy will be a tremendous boost and responds to the issue that many of these larger establishments were unable to benefit from previous rounds of support from the Victorian Government.”
Images: Attractions such as Sovereign Hill Ballarat have only recently reopened.
10th July 2020 - Victorian Government announces $534 million support package for Coronavirus impacted businesses
9th July 2020 - Vail Resorts suspend operations at Mt Hotham and Falls Creek due to latest COVID-19 outbreak
9th July 2020 - Doubts over A-League restart averted as NSW Government grants travel exemptions to Victorian clubs
7th July 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council concerned over re-imposed Melbourne lockdown
7th July 2020 - Creative Victoria launches new grant program to help music venues during lockdown
7th July 2020 - Industry impacted by new Victorian Coronavirus lockdown
6th July 2020 - Great Victorian Rail Trail strategy supported by three Victorian councils
30th June 2020 - Queensland to reopen borders to all except Victorians
25th June 2020 - Victorian fans to be prevented from attending NRL and AFL games in NSW
21st June 2020 - Steampunk Victoriana Fair Cancelled
20th June 2020 - Victorian Government tightens Coronavirus restrictions after second wave of infections
15th June 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes easing of restrictions but highlights challenges of the four square metre rule
10th June 2020 - Victoria Tourism Industry Council welcomes Sovereign Hill’s reopening announcement
1st June 2020 - Victorian national parks closed after social distancing breaches
13th May 2020 - Survival package unveiled for Victorian sport, tourism and creative industries
6th May 2020 - Victorian Government announces support for casual workers stood down from shuttered public sector venues
4th May 2020 - Victorian wildlife attractions receive financial lifeline
21st March 2019 - Review to determine ways to expand tourism In Regional Victoria
7th June 2017 - VTIC highlights challenges for tourism in regional Victoria
29th February 2016 - New marketing campaign promotes regional Victoria
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