Celebs get behind new campaign urging Aussies to make a #RoadTripPledge

Holiday rental platform Stayz has unveiled a new campaign to help drive regional tourism and get Aussie families back on the road travelling again.

Described by Stayz as “an Australian regeneration promise”, the #RoadTripPledge was created to draw people’s attention back to the needs of regional Australia, both directly and indirectly impacted by the summer bushfires, and more recently the coronavirus-imposed travel bans.

“This pledge is for families, to help them process and understand recent major Australian bushfires and health issues, and offers a way to take positive action together to revive the economy,” according to the press release announcing the campaign.

A number of household Aussie names have backed the campaign by taking the pledge, including Edwina Bartholomew, Natalie Bassingthwaighte, Cameron Daddo and Alison Brahe, Jamie Durie, Adam Liaw, Benji and Zoe Marshall, Catriona Rowntree, Tom Williams, and Dr Katrina Warren.

Each has made their own promise to travel locally with their families across 2020 by road as a genuine way to give back to recovering regions and tourism.

Leading children’s psychologist Dr Michael Carr-Gregg is also on board, offering advice to families on how to involve their kids in the pledge, address social changes and reconnect as a family in 2020.

The #RoadTripPledge is as follows:

As a reminder of the incredible power of regeneration.

I stand with regional Australian towns.

I vow to explore impacted places by road.

To spend generously in towns of all sizes.

To always ask locals, “are you okay”.

To value moments of connection with the people I love.

And find a renewed sense of adventure together.

Even when the headlines have stopped, and the social media has ceased.

We will not forget the reason why we made our #RoadTripPledge.

As part of the campaign, Stayz has also launched a promotion whereby people who take the #RoadTripPledge and are one of the first 1,000 bookings (for over $1,000) made at Stayz.com.au will be eligible to claim and receive a $100 VISA gift card (conditions apply), which can be used in the regional holiday destination.

Stayz’s resident travel expert, Simone Scoppa, said: “We are extremely proud, even during hard global times, to launch the #RoadTripPledge this month in support of regional tourism and ensuring this is remembered across 2020.

“We have seen since travel restrictions have eased in Australia that the demand to stay in a holiday home has increased significantly; where people are wanting to stay in a spacious whole home with their family and friends, but away from other people.

“Stayz has always been committed to driving tourism in regional Australia, but this year – more than ever – it is so much more important.”