Residents living in the Maitland Local Government Area (LGA) can now apply for the NSW Government Stay NSW Voucher.

The coupons, released over a two-week period, are eligible for people over the age of 18.

Unlike the Dine and Discover Vouchers, people can pool the $50 Stay NSW Voucher with relatives or friends.

Maitland state MP Jenny Aitchison welcomed the release of the latest government incentive.

“So many tourism business owners have been hit with significant economic downturn due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic over the past two years and prior to that, the devastating bushfires, floods and drought,” she said.

“The impact has been catastrophic for so many in the tourism sector.

“Hopefully, the new vouchers will provide an economic injection to the industry that they so desperately need and will encourage NSW residents to book that domestic getaway.

“But, there is more to do.”

Ms Aitchison said she had been strongly advocating on behalf of tourism industry to ensure the sector was not forgotten.

“As a former tourism operator and travel agent, I have strong connections with the industry,” she stated.

“It’s been distressing to see the way they have been ignored by the government through the greatest threat to tourism in our nation’s history.

“Coach and other transport tourism operators and travel agents are still struggling and there has been no assistance given to them, despite a number of options put to them by industry.

“Other states have been providing generous incentives, rebates and voucher schemes for quite some time now.

“It’s disappointing it took the NSW Government so long to finally rollout the voucher scheme for one sector of the tourism industry.”

To apply for the NSW Stay voucher you will need:

• A MyServiceNSW Account
• Two proof of identity documents such as your NSW driver licence, Medicare card, Australian passport
• A mobile device (iOS or Android) to download the latest version of the Service NSW app and use the voucher
• People can apply for their vouchers through the Service NSW mobile app, the Service NSW website or by phoning 13 77 88.

Vouchers must be used by 9 October.

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