Victorian Government announces $32 million support package for lockdown impacted tourism businesses

The Victorian Government has announced a $32.2 million support package for the state’s tourism industry during its fourth lockdown.

The extended lockdown has come at the worst possible time for the tourism sector which was gearing up for the Queens’ Birthday long weekend.

The package will include $16 million to provide a further round of 80,000 regional tourism vouchers, as well as $11.8 million which will go towards a tourism supplement top-up of $4,500.

Announcing the package, acting Victoria Premier, James Merlino stated “for all tourism operators, across Victoria, in addition to the business support, this will mean that tourism operators will receive $7,000 in additional support.

“There will also be $4.4 million of support for Alpine tourism with grants of up to $15,000 for on-mountain tourism operators and $5,000 for off-mountain tourism operators linked to the ski season.

“This is an acknowledgment that when you think about the ski season, and the disruption in terms of the lockdown and a period of time of restricted travel for Melburnians, this is particularly disproportionally going to impact on our alpine resorts and all of the tourism operators who support that.”

Image: Luna Park Melbourne.