More than half a million dollars in travel vouchers will be given away as Western Australia celebrates the fall of its border on Thursday.
Vouches ranging in value from $150 to $2,200 will be handed out at Perth Airport from midnight as part of the state government’s “Gifts from Western Australia” campaign.
It’s hoped the voucher bonanza will entice tourists to splash their cash at local businesses and boost the state’s struggling travel sector.
In total, 3,400 two-person vouchers will be on offer and include tourism experiences from about 20 different operators, skydiving at Rottnest Island, swimming with dolphins or touring Penguin Island, sunset stargazing at The Pinnacles, and a three-day tour of Margaret River.
But tourists aren’t just the only arrivals who will receive a warm welcome.
StudyPerth has been allocated 1,000 vouchers to hand out to international students.
For those flying to on the first flights to Perth on Qantas via Sydney or Melbourne will also receive a toy quokka.
Quarantine free travel for all vaccinated interstate and overseas tourists will recommence for WA from midnight Thursday.
Interstate and overseas travellers must complete a G2G pass before entry and take a rapid antigen test within 12 hours of arrival.
Vaccinated Australians must also have received three doses of the Covid jab.
Premier Mark McGowan said his government wanted to promote all the experiences on offer in WA.
“When interstate and international travel returns in full on March 3, we want to encourage visitors to experience all we can offer, while ensuring local tourism operators enjoy the benefits,” he said.
“As we enter this next phase, we will continue to provide the necessary support to local businesses and promote Western Australia as an ideal place to visit, invest and live.”
xjmtzywTourism Minister Roger Cook said the vouchers would “promote various tourism operators in Perth and the surrounding regions to thousands of incoming visitors”.
The state’s hard border was previously slated to fall on February 5 but Mr McGowan delayed the reopening after Omicron cases in the rest of Australia exploded.
