NSW Ageing Minister, John Ajaka, encouraged more Blue Mountains businesses to promote the Seniors Card in a visit to Katoomba on Monday, August 22.
Mr Ajaka met TCP Day Tours owner Nyla Thomas and five Senior Card holders to discuss how they use the scheme.
The minister was surprised to learn the residents often forget to use their Seniors Card and that business partners often don’t actively promote their participation in the scheme.
With more than 19,000 Seniors Card holders in the Blue Mountains and only 50 participating business, Ms Thomas said it was an underutilised service and “more should be done to invite businesses to participate”.
Ms Thomas has been part of the Seniors Card Program for nearly 10 years. As most of her clients on bus tours are seniors, it makes good business sense to be part of a program that helps seniors, she said.
“The Blue Mountains has a vast majority of hospitality businesses and the potential to attract more customers should be widely promoted,” she said.