The NSW Government’s Dine & Discover initiative will be extended by a month to give people more time to use their vouchers eating out or trying a new activity this winter.
The latest data shows more than 4.23 million people have downloaded the vouchers since they were launched in March, spending a combined total of more than $357 million with registered businesses.
Treasurer Dominic Perrottet said the stimulus had proved popular and played a valuable role supporting businesses as well as reviving consumer confidence.
“This is helping to fire-up our economy. It’s not just boosting revenue for businesses, it’s bringing a fresh clientele through their doors eager to try a new eatery or exciting activity,” Mr Perrottet said.
“People of all ages and walks of life are giving them a go and we don’t want anyone to miss out. This extension will ensure everyone has a chance to use all four of their vouchers, which I’m sure will be particularly handy in the school holidays.”
Every adult in NSW is eligible for four $25 vouchers worth $100 in total, to spend across the 14,000 participating businesses.
Dining out has been particularly popular, with patrons spending on average $41 for every $25 voucher used.
The Treasurer said the increased spending at hospitality venues would have broader positive flow-on effects to the economy, through employment and purchases from upstream suppliers.
He said adventure businesses had also benefited, along with cultural institutions such as galleries and museums.
Minister for Digital and Customer Service, Victor Dominello said the enthusiastic take up of the vouchers showed digital initiatives were the way of the future.
“Targeted stimulus, is smart stimulus when helping communities and citizens battle back from a pandemic and Dine & Discover has been able to support a wide range of businesses and industries,” Mr Dominello said.
“With about two in every three adults across NSW having now registered for the vouchers, having such a large portion of the NSW population on board means we can get money back into the community quickly.
“More than $105 million has been spent directly in registered business regionally compared to almost $200 million in establishments in Sydney.”
It’s not too late for businesses to register and customers are encouraged to sign up and spend their vouchers before they expire on July 31, 2021.
“We’re giving people more time to take full advantage of these vouchers, so make sure you sign up and use them before you lose them,” Mr Perrottet said.
The vouchers had been due to expire on June 30.
The vouchers can only be used at eligible businesses that have implemented a COVID Safety Plan and are registered as COVID Safe.
