Peak tourism bodies say flagship stimulus programs from state and federal governments have been ill-conceived and continue to fail Melbourne in its time of greatest need.
“The fact we were left off the half-price list really leaves Melbourne and Sydney just shaking their heads and saying ‘how can this be’?” chief executive of the Victorian Tourism Industry Council Felicia Mariani said. “If we revisit something for Melbourne, we need to understand that the requirements go beyond getting people from Victoria into the city. We need to think about how we’re encouraging interstate visitors back as well,” she said.
He added hotel quarantine occupancy meant the true figure of money-spending visitors was somewhere in the 30s.“The biggest issue [for operators] is it’s really tough to hold staff because we can’t offer the hours five, six or seven days a week. We have a major staff shortage, which doesn’t allow you then to flex up when you need to.”He supported another voucher scheme that would encourage midweek travel to Melbourne.
Asked about the Commonwealth’s half-price airfare scheme, Mr Long said it was “completely the wrong program for the wrong time for the wrong destinations”.“But those destinations they picked, particularly the initial 13 destinations, were already at an average of 80 and 85 per cent of 2019 levels. They didn’t need help.”
Zhope10 That’s what labour greens wanted and they got it
Zhope10 Why would anyone stay in a hotel quarantine location ?
Zhope10 Absolute crap - the city is busy !
Zhope10 Zhope10, just another LNP steno at Costello’s TheAge, where Costello’s editor, Gay_Alcorn, has turned the shielding of Morrison from scrutiny into an art form. auspol
Zhope10 Really? I was having great trouble trying to book one last night. Nearly all I phoned were booked out or only had a few rooms left. I know trying to get a decent air b& b in country Victoria is hard as well.
Zhope10 Without some decent vaccine coverage it’ll stay that way. Point a finger at Scummo for fucking that up.
Zhope10 I'm in East Gippsland and it's been effing busy. Get out of the city you lazy journos and live a little.
Zhope10 Belated lol The Ood Age sticking the boot into DANIELANDREWSMP once again.
Zhope10 Interesting to see what the numbers are like in regional areas. I think people have realised there is a lot to see out there and that there is better clientele walking the streets compared to the CBD
Zhope10 Labor premier doing what is best for the public The Economy will recover it always does