With F.A.W.C! coming up in November a bonus from local government to locals would be a great incentive to get out and support local tourism and hospitality sectors. Photo / NZME
With F.A.W.C! coming up in November a bonus from local government to locals would be a great incentive to get out and support local tourism and hospitality sectors. Photo / NZME
Here's an idea. It's an Australian idea, but that's okay.
To be precise it's a Queensland idea. Queenslanders have been offered a bonus to help out the tourism and hospitality sectors in their community.
It's simple. If you support a local restaurant and spend $100 you get $50 back.
Attractions such as Dream World and other local tourist destinations are selling 12-month passes that would normally cost $100 for $50, also subsidised by the local government.
It's a great idea. It gets people out and about, still wearing masks, and it gives these sectors of the community, which have been one of the hardest hit in the past 18 months due to Covid-19 restrictions, a shot in the arm.
It's also good for our collective mental health. It gets families out the door having fun and businesses get the pleasure of seeing people coming in their doors after months of uncertainty.
It's would encourage us to take visitors along.
Because we are such a small country maybe it would be better if you could spend your "subsidy" on half price motel and meal at a destination of your choice throughout New Zealand (with the exception of Auckland at the moment).
Imagine how much that would help our domestic travel sector and out local communities.
It would also be a great incentive for tourism to put themselves out there to attract as many New Zealanders as possible.
Hawke's Bay would do well out of a scheme such as this, especially with the 10-year anniversary of our Food and Wine Classic Festival (F.A.W.C!) on the horizon.
Linda Hall is assistant editor at Hawke's Bay Today.
There are so many events to choice from. But a word of warning. If you are planning on attending a F.A.W.C! event which runs from November 5 to 14, book now. Tickets went on sale on September 14 and in a record breaking day of sales, 17 events sold out.
It's an important festival for the region, showcasing our delicious food and wine. It's your chance to taste something new, sip something different and learn something from our incredible chefs, winemakers and foodies.
So how about it New Zealand councils. Half price tickets to Splash Planet, the National Aquarium, Ocean Spa, the movies, Cape Kidnappers Tractors, the Hawke's Bay Arts Festival F.A.W.C! events . . . the list goes on.
The meal voucher options alone are endless in Hawke's Bay.
Ratepayers are always giving — time for a little kickback.
