Is there the seed of an idea for places like Glacier Country that comes to us out of Queensland?
They have launched the Cairns Holiday Dollars Programme. You apply and you get vouchers for specific attractions in the far north of Queensland. It's an area that hasn’t bounced back, or got the benefit of interstate travellers, the way areas like the Gold and Sunshine Coasts have.
You get a 50 percent discount, you have to commit to a certain spend, vouchers can only be used once, and cannot be split. But the point is, it’s a specifically targeted programme designed to help a specific part of the country.
Why wouldn’t we look at something similar here?
The government looked at, and rejected, the British "Eat Out to Help Out" campaign. Figures show it boosted eating out by six percent, which given the cost, is hardly bang for pound. And it only boosted it on the days the vouchers were applicable. So, value is critical.
The days are fast ending of open cheque books. QE programmes have written trillions.
Our own STAPP programme for tourism was a disaster and is now being investigated by the Auditor General. But that doesn't mean there isn't pain, and it certainly shouldn’t mean that help isn't available, if a smart plan can be enacted.
What we have seen domestically is that certain regions have seen more locals than ever before. Places like Whanganui, that have never really been part of the international tourist map, have had a real windfall. More people than ever have seen the region.
But we know that a domestic tourist isn't as valuable as an international one, and not all regions have benefited when we have hit the road on the school or Christmas holidays.
So why not have a look at the north Queensland model? Why not look to the possibility of actually putting a bit of spade work in? After all, I think most of us would agree that the business that simply hasn’t been allowed to operate because of government orders is owed some help.
This plan gets around Grant Robertson's issue of what's a tourist business is and what isn't. You target them.
No, we can't help everyone and save every job. But there is no shortage of businesses that were helped with things like the wage subsidy and went on to do very nicely.
Let's level that playing field with good ideas.