Ningaloo Adventure Vouchers to support tourism in wake of cyclone Narelle all sold out in less than a week

A travel scheme offering vouchers to entice visitors back to the Gascoyne in the wake of cyclone Narelle has sold out in less than a week. The State Government announced the travel vouchers on May 5 — offering 50 per cent off tours and experiences in Exmouth, Coral Bay and Carnarvon to drive tourists back to the region — and as of May 11 the vouchers were officially all sold out. The Ningaloo Adventure Vouchers were supposed to be available from May 5 to June 30 — or until sold out — and can be redeemed for bookings up to November 30, 2026. Tourism Minister Reece Whitby said $250,000 was spent on the discounted vouchers. “It’s really good to see that so many people are very keen to get to the Coral Coast and take advantage of this,” he said. “The vouchers are incredibly successful. They work so well . . . it’s a 50 per cent discount on these experiences, and that has a real impact on people.” The vouchers program was part of a $1.45 million Cyclone Narelle Tourism Business Support Package to help generate future bookings for tourism in the regions impacted severely by the cyclone in late March. Tourists travelling to these areas were able to choose from a wide range of experiences, including whale shark and manta ray swims, snorkelling and eco-adventures and more, with a choice of up to 40 tourism operators in the region. A targeted intrastate marketing campaign was working alongside the vouchers to support Western Australians to take advantage of the discounted tourism experiences. Mr Whitby said the incentive scheme was a “short-term, immediate sort of support for those businesses,” although he is “urging people, before they make any bookings, to just check with their accommodation that it can be available.” Accommodation for visitors in Exmouth is at lower levels due to cyclone Narelle, although an overflow camping facility at Koobooroo Oval has been made available for tourists. Mr Whitby encourages Western Australians to use the $100 fuel voucher announced in last week’s State Budget to “help fill up the tank when you go on your next holiday in Western Australia.” As of May 11, the Premier’s Relief Fund has distributed $716,000 in support to those affected by cyclone Narelle. The Premier’s Natural Disaster Recovery Fund has provided $1.16 million, and the Tourism Support Business Package, which is separate from the vouchers, has provided $280,000. Additionally, the Cook Government has made flights to WA’s regional destinations more affordable through the return of the Affordable Airfares Program. Mr Whitby urged people to visit places like the Coral Coast, as it depended so much on tourism as a vital part of the economy. A post-Easter survey by the Tourism Council of WA has revealed that forward bookings for May, June and July have dropped almost 30 per cent across WA’s tourism industry. This has been blamed on the blow caused by cyclone Narelle and rising fuel prices.