City slickers urged to be COVID safe in regional SA

SA’s holiday hot spots can’t wait to welcome back metro visitors – but they’ve got an important warning for those trying to get away from it all.

Regional leaders are urging city slickers to remain COVID-conscious as holiday hot spots prepare for tens of thousands of visitors over summer.

Mayors from major holiday destinations, including the Yorke, Fleurieu and Eyre peninsulas, say they are ready for the influx.

However, they are urging people to be careful.

South Australian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Shaun de Bruyn told the Sunday Mail localised lockdowns – that protect the regions and vice versa – needed to be under consideration if the state were to experience another cluster as regions prepare for the annual pilgrimage.

“The regions have fantastic forward bookings and many are experiencing record levels of visits from SA residents,” Mr de Bruyn said.

In the event of an outbreak, “the more localised lockdown actions that can be taken the better for confidence, businesses and jobs”.

Victor Harbor Mayor Moira Jenkins said they were expecting an influx of tourists when other states opened their borders to South Australia.

“Our accommodation providers and our small businesses will really welcome them to our region, and all of our businesses have got their COVID-safe plans,” she said.

“As long as our visitors abide by those plans and the region stays safe, they are very welcome.

“They will make a huge contribution to our economy.”

Port Lincoln Mayor Brad Flaherty said locals and tourists had adapted well to the council’s COVID-safe plans and had been diligent throughout the pandemic.

“The businesses here have been experiencing volumes probably the same as Christmas and Australia Day holiday weekend,” Mr Flaherty said.

“If people are looking for somewhere to come from within SA or within Australia, they’re more than welcome to come here because it’s an experience that they will never forget.”

Alison Nunan, the mayor of Robe, where the population peaks at 15,000 people from its regular 1500, said some events had been cancelled, including firecracker nights and a Christmas pageant.

“I believe people know now what is expected of them and understand that if they do the wrong thing they put people at risk,” she said.

“There is always a risk. We don’t have a hospital, so we do have some vulnerabilities if we had an outbreak or a positive test in the community, but as long as people are doing the right thing we’ll be OK.”

Yorke Peninsula Mayor Darren Braund said his region – including popular tourist spots such as Dhilba Guuranda-Innes National Park – wanted visits to continue in record numbers as it already has this year.

“We are encouraging people to come down but just understand the limitations and the rules when they come down,” he said.

Peter Saturno at accommodation facilities at Longview Vineyard. Picture: Brenton Edwards

New doors open for opportunity

By Matt Smith

Key tourism destinations, from Kangaroo Island to the York Peninsula, will be upgraded as part of a push to boost the sector.

Projects to be delivered include accommodation in the Adelaide Hills and Eyre and Yorke peninsulas, cellar doors in the Barossa Valley and Fleurieu Peninsula, and the relocation and refurbishment of a cafe on Kangaroo Island.

The first nine projects will share in $1.8m aimed at unlocking $9m in investment.

Premier Steven Marshall said the projects would provide a huge economic boost for the tourism industry, which had been hard hit by COVID-19 and last summer’s devastating bushfires.

“This $9m injection into the South Australia’s economy will help attract more visitors to our world-class regions and create nearly 350 jobs at time when we need them most,” Mr Marshall said.

“These shovel-ready projects will deliver an immediate shot in the arm for our regional communities and support their long-term recovery.”

Award-winning winery Longview Vineyard, in the Adelaide Hills, will build six new accommodation suites.

“The grant will help cement Longview’s position as the premier destination in the Adelaide Hills for accommodation and for wedding and corporate functions,” managing director Peter Saturno said.

“Longview is … well-located so that tourists can easily visit other parts of the Hills, McLaren Vale and Langhorne Creek to make the most of their stay and generate spending in the region.”

Hopes take flight for travel horizons

New optimism spreading through the tourism industry as borders open and a vaccine is on the horizon will see Adelaide firm Holidays of Australia charter two planes to fly to Uluru for a Red Centre getaway.

The private jet package will see guest fly direct to Ayers Rock Airport for a full weekend, staying in the luxurious Sails in the Desert on the doorstep of Uluru-Kata Tjuta National Park.

The planes chartered from Adelaide-based Cobham Aviation Services taking a maximum of 90 guests on each flight will depart from Adelaide and Perth airports on the morning of January 22 with a full COVID plan in place.

Holidays of Australia managing director Ben Mead said there had been a strong response in the prerelease advice sent to people on the company’s database. “It shows people really are ready to travel again, and while overseas travel is still a way off they want to get out and see Australia,” he said. “Uluru is a fantastic experience in so many ways and a no-hassle private jet trip there is a great way to go. Confidence is building again and there will be people eager to welcome 2021 with an amazing tour like this. We are certainly seeing demand and interest in destinations like the NT and in particular the Red Centre.”

Guests will stay two nights at Sails in the Desert. The Field of Light experience, is included in the package priced from $1499 a person twin share, from Adelaide.