How Accommodation and Tourism Businesses Can Use Fundraising Vouchers

A weekend away or a local experience is a premium fundraiser offer — the kind that makes a silent auction exciting and a campaign memorable.

Here's the short version: sell a defined stay or experience at your normal rate, give the fundraiser a share of at least 10%, and aim your vouchers at your quiet season. Accommodation has one of the clearest capacity economics of any business — an empty room tonight earns you nothing, but a voucher guest pays for a night that would otherwise have been lost.

Why accommodation and tourism fit fundraising

Your product is perishable: an unsold night, seat or tour slot is gone forever. Vouchers turn that otherwise-wasted capacity into revenue while giving a fundraiser a genuinely exciting offer. Weekend stays, winery tours, boat trips and local experiences also have a halo effect — voucher guests spend on food, drinks and activities while they're with you.

For fundraisers, a premium voucher changes the tone of a campaign: it's a prize to raffle, a star item at a gala auction, or a high-value offer that makes supporters feel they're getting something special.

The maths that works

Let's price a $280 weekend stay (one night, double) with a 15% share:

What happens	Amount
Buyer pays	$280.00
Fundraiser's share (15%)	$42.00
Platform fee (5% + GST on the sale)	~$15.40
You receive	~$222.60

If the room's variable cost is $60 (cleaning, utilities, breakfast), that's a $162 contribution on a night that may have sold at a discount or not at all. And the guests typically spend on dinner, wine and extras. The pricing guide shows how to adapt the math to your own costs.

What makes it work

• Define the stay precisely. "One night for two, midweek, room-only" or "weekend B&B for two" — precise definitions prevent awkward conversations at check-in.
• Point it at your quiet season. Shoulder months, midweek nights and the pre-Christmas lull are where vouchers shine. Terms like "valid Sunday–Thursday, April to November" protect your peak and fill your trough. See how to set terms that protect you.
• Sell a limited number. Premium offers work on scarcity — a small batch of stay vouchers feels exclusive and protects your calendar.
• Make the stay memorable. A welcome note, a local tip, a small upgrade — voucher guests who rave become your best marketers.
• Capture their details for next time. A stay is a relationship, not a transaction — the regular-customer playbook applies to rooms too.

Which fundraisers to choose

Premium vouchers suit schools (gala auctions, teacher-appreciation raffles), sports clubs (end-of-season prizes), and community groups with engaged supporters. Because the value is high, the three-question framework matters even more — make sure the audience can genuinely afford to bid or buy.

A few honest notes

Blackout dates are normal but keep them fair — "not available over Christmas/New Year" is reasonable; "not available any weekend" is a trap. And remember the redemption window: give guests a full year to use a stay voucher, because people plan getaways slowly.

Frequently asked questions

What's the minimum share I give a fundraiser?

At least 10% of each sale on Generous.nz. Tourism businesses often offer 15% because their quiet capacity makes it affordable.

Who pays the platform fee?

You do — 5% + GST on sales, fee-free on your first $1,000, and nothing if nothing sells.

Can I exclude peak periods?

Yes — fair blackout dates are standard. State them clearly so buyers know before purchase.

What if the voucher isn't redeemed?

You've already been paid for the room, and the guest loses the value — which is why a clear expiry date (usually 12 months) is in everyone's interest.

Do voucher guests spend more?

Often significantly — dinner, drinks, activities and local purchases add up. Track it with the ROI scorecard.