A push to see the terms of the state government's travel vouchers adjust to exclude third-party and online travel agencies is a complex issue, the Victorian Tourism Industry Council has warned.
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Concerns that commissions of between 12 and 20 per cent were going to online travel agencies, leading accommodation providers to missing out on the full strength of the $200 vouchers has been raised by Bendigo Motels Association president Kristyn Slattery.
VTIC chief executive Felicia Mariani said adjusting the voucher terms was a complex issue.
"It is more complex than deciding to make vouchers available for direct bookings," she said. "I do know from internal conversions with the state government that it should be left up to the consumer's choice as to how they want to book (accommodation).
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"There are number of (accommodation) operators who don't have a website with the capability to book digitally. Some operators rely on these (third party) channels as their only means of digital distribution. If you took that away, it means you remove the digital capability of some operators.
"At the end of the day some people don't want to pay commissions but there are some convoluted issues that make it not as simple as excluding one part of the sector."
This week, the state government said it will release a further 80,000 travel vouchers to help recovery from the current lockdown. A release date for the vouchers has yet to be announced.
Tourism minister Martin Pakula said vouchers have provided incentive for Victorians to explore their own backyard.
"The program has injected more than $5.8 million into Bendigo and surrounding areas, supporting businesses and bolstering jobs," he said.
"Along with strong promotion of our regions within Victoria and interstate and direct financial support, it means tourism businesses have been able to move ahead with growing confidence."
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Chris Pedler
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
Chris has been with the Bendigo Advertiser for more than 10 years. He has great passion for the performing arts and is very supportive of the Bendigo live music scene. Outside of the news world Chris plays golf and, regardless of the result, loves watching St Kilda play in the AFL. He loves community theatre and has performed on stage with the Bendigo Theatre Company and worked with Baldrick himself, Tony Robinson. Story tips: chris.pedler@austcommunitymedia.com.au
