Interstate Covid-19 cancellations means holiday bargains for South Aussies

Mass cancellations from interstate have put the pressure on the state’s traders, but that’s not all bad news for locked-in South Aussies.

With interstate travel plans thrown into chaos, a government Facebook page is urging South Australians to take advantage of last-minute cancellations during the school holidays.

South Australian Tourism Commission will today launch the “Re-Book in SA” Facebook group to promote vacancies after border closures forced mass cancellations.

The page will match lost trips interstate by identifying similar experiences in SA, such as a lost trip to Sea World with a dolphin and seal adventure on Kangaroo Island.

SATC chief executive Rodney Harrex said he hoped adversity could be turned into an “opportunity”.

SA Tourism CEO Rodney Harrex and Premier Steven Marshall. Picture: Brenton Edwards

“We have been getting a lot of emails, phone calls and a lot of talking on socials from South Australians who are now facing their own cancelled interstate plans and looking for an alternative in SA,’’ he said.

“For six consecutive months there has been limited availability so right now is the best time for South Australians to book a last-minute getaway.’’

SA borders are currently shut to nonresidents travelling from Queensland, Western Australia, the Northern Territory, the ACT, parts of NSW and Melbourne Covid-19 hot spots.

But Victorians, the most frequent visitors to SA, are taking advantage of the open border.

Mr Harrex said: “Traffic from Victoria has more than doubled over the past seven days compared to the previous seven days”.

Yorke Peninsula Tourism spokeswoman Brooke Liebelt said the region was still taking many bookings but warned travellers to be flexible on location and the size of their accommodation.

Passengers from the Coral Adventurer explore the SA coastline. Picture: Isaac Forman/SATC

“Accommodation bookings have been increasing over the last week due to the changing nature of interstate restrictions,’’ she said.

Premier Steven Marshall warned South Australians travelling interstate faced the risk of sudden border closures, and urged a holiday at home.

“I just encourage people to get out and explore their own backyard,” he said.

“If people are going to go interstate, they need to factor in there is going to be some additional risk.”

Mr Harrex said Re-Book in SA would work by inviting people to post about a lost interstate trip, and operators replying with last-minute cancellations.

“The posts will be grouped as wildlife experience, luxury stay, wine region, coastal location, so that relevant operators can connect with them,” he said.

“Whether it’s seeing the dolphins with a tour operator in Kangaroo Island to replace a lost trip to Sea World or staying in luxury accommodation in an SA wine region like Sequoia Lodge, or The Louise to replace a trip planned for NSW Hunter Valley, get on to Facebook and Re-Book in SA.”

Government school holidays run from July 3 to July 18, and SATC has more than 200 events listed for July in Adelaide and the regions.

Travel within most of SA for residents is unrestricted, except for some Indigenous communities.

National parks are rapidly becoming booked out for camping, with those on the Fleurieu Peninsula, in the Flinders Ranges and Outback, as well as Yorke Peninsula and the Mid North all listed as “selling fast”.

Chief Public Health Officer Nicola Spurrier said travellers should follow public gathering rules at all times.

Travel agents reported tens of thousands of cancellations over the recent Covid scares.