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Mystery tours and cheap hotel stays offered in Perth tourism boost

Charlotte EltonThe West Australian
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Tourism Minister David Templeman with Down Under Motorcycle Tours' Brendon Beets.
Camera IconTourism Minister David Templeman with Down Under Motorcycle Tours' Brendon Beets. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

The State Government is offering West Aussies mystery tours and subsidised hotel stays in a bid to help tourism operators hit hard by COVID-19.

The new ‘Stay, Play and Save’ initiative will offer people $200 off a two-or-more-night midweek stay at 40 Perth hotels — an extension of an existing campaign from January.

It comes after the first phase of the campaign resulted in more than 3,000 extra bookings for 49 Perth hotels. 12 hotels sold out before the booking period ended.

The new discounts are only available for getaways worth at least $400, booked for Sunday to Thursday.

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To sweeten the deal, people who book in will get a “mystery” voucher for city-based tour or experience — like gourmet food tours, Swan river cruises and motorbike rides.

Tourism Minister David Templeman described the new vouchers as a “magnificent” opportunity.

“In this [phase] of course we're adding that added mystery experience, I like that little twist to this phase,” he said.

“What it also does is support our tourism operators in Perth, who we know have been doing it during a tough during COVID.”

Jacqueline Baril runs Eat The Street, a food tour provider in Perth. Her company will be offering tours under the voucher scheme.

“Mid-week tours have seen a significant reduction [since COVID-19],” she said.

Minister for Tourism David Templeman announcing the Stay, Play and Save initiative.
Camera IconMinister for Tourism David Templeman announcing the Stay, Play and Save initiative. Credit: Simon Santi/The West Australian

“We're really hoping that this just sort of makes people aware that there's a huge variety of options to come out to experience in Perth.”

Australian Hotels Association WA CEO Bradley Woods described the campaign as a “welcome boost” for the hospitality industry.

“WA’s borders are open but interstate visitation levels are still only a fraction of what they were before the pandemic,” he said.

“Our metropolitan hotels require support through campaigns such as this to fill rooms and support the many thousands of workers they employ.”

Stay, Play and Save round two bookings can be made from Monday May 31, until Sunday June 20, with travel until the end of August. Bookings can be made online via http://www.experienceperth.com/stayplaysave

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