Today TravelCard Real-Time™ Travel Insurance launches #business4thebush, and throws open the challenge to Aussie businesses to join.
The initiative is providing dollar matching for employee travel to the fire impacted areas up to $1000 and providing a volunteer day to help out on the ground when possible.
“Like all Australians, TravelCard has felt the devastation watching these local communities suffer from the impact of these horrendous bushfires. We wanted to find a way to give back that would help encourage long term tourism support for the areas that are going to need a helping hand for the next few years to rebuild and recover,” said Peter Klemt CEO TravelCard Real-Time™ Travel Insurance.
“As a supplier of domestic tourism travel insurance TravelCard has seen claims for the cancellations of holidays to the fire affected regions. TravelCard’s #business4thebush provides up to $1000 for employees to spend in the impacted regions and we are offering a volunteer day’s leave to help employees be able to take advantage of #business4thebush,” added Mr Klemt. “We challenge Australian businesses to get on board to help fire impacted tourism zones.”
#business4thebush works like this; If Emma from customer support visits Batlow and spends $200 on accommodation and $300 on purchases from the local retailers, eats dinner at the local pub and buys a round of drinks for the volunteer firies costing $150, TravelCard will match her spend of $650, allowing her to travel on to Nowra and enjoy the local caravan park, visit Shoalhaven Zoo, picnic at hanging rock and enjoy a swim at Jervis Bay. Where volunteers are useful Emma can use the volunteer day to support a local wildlife network, build a new fence for a farmer or paint smoke damaged buildings.
“TravelCard wanted to help create a real opportunity for employees to enjoy the beauty of regional Australia and in the meantime inject some tourist dollars into these small community businesses. Over the course of 2020 if each of our employees catches a train to Berry, drives to Eden or flies to Kangaroo Island we know their dollar spend can help restore domestic tourism in those local areas,” added Mr Klemt. “When it’s safe for volunteers our employees will be given a volunteer day’s leave to work where they can provide a benefit to the impacted regions.”
The inaugural TravelCard Travel Habits survey showed travellers want to spend 2020 on a road trip exploring local regions, and TravelCard wants to make this easier for our employees with #business4thebush. The initiative can have a real impact on regional tourism if other Australian businesses get on board. Pay for a surfing lesson, a wine tour, a family visit to Mogo Zoo, this is an opportunity for business to support the bush, and their employees, by supporting a long weekend away.
The survey found 40% of Australians want their next trip to be a domestic holiday and 45% of people like to stop off at different locations while on trip. A South Coast road trip provides the perfect opportunity to enjoy a range of stunning local destinations, and is a great long weekend away for people in New South Wales. When it comes the what they want to do on holidays:
75% want to explore the local area
58% want to try local foods
44% enjoy shopping in the region’s specialty shops
73% like to go to the beach
64% like hiking
40% enjoy outdoor adventures
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