South Australia offers vouchers to visit areas affected by the algal bloom

ABC NEWS (Australia)

A ballot for South Australians to secure 500-dollar coastal tourism vouchers will open on Tuesday in a bid to support businesses struggling because of the toxic algal bloom. But some businesses don't qualify, leaving those who've missed out disappointed.

Transcript

00:00Since the algal bloom began, bookings at Wendy Fichenda's Port Elliot accommodation have dried up.

00:07They've virtually become non-existent.

00:10And her business doesn't qualify for the SA government's Coast is calling vouchers

00:15because she uses a third party booking agent.

00:18I'm a bit disappointed actually, because in the past when the government has issued vouchers,

00:25for example with the COVID recovery program and so on, we were included.

00:30The Premier Peter Malinowski says the government wanted the vouchers to support those businesses which need it most.

00:36We don't want to subsidise an Adelaide family for instance that might have a holiday home

00:40that they occasionally put on Airbnb because this is not their primary source of income.

00:46Members of the public can enter a ballot to receive one of the 20,000 vouchers up for grabs

00:51and the travel period begins on September 24.

00:55The vouchers can be used for coastal accommodation and tourism,

00:59but not for dining at beachside restaurants or cafes.

01:02Andrew Neighbour runs a dolphin experience on Kangaroo Island.

01:06His business does qualify, but he's worried no one will want to use them

01:10because of how the bloom has affected the water.

01:13It's a true wild dolphin swim.

01:15We kind of rely on those pristine conditions, crystal clear water

01:19and the dolphins in their natural habitat.

01:21The voucher Expressions of Interest close on Friday.

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