South coast tourism industry launches campaign after evacuations

A struggling tourism industry has launched a campaign to attract visitors after another yet cruel blow to its peak holiday season.

A caravan coffee cart at Tathra Beachside Park is a must-visit for holidaymakers.

The south coast tourism industry has launched a new campaign after the second consecutive mass exodus of summer visitors has left some accommodation operators almost empty overnight.

The campaign was initiated by Sapphire Coast Destination this week after the sudden evacuation of tens of thousands of Victorians when the border with NSW was again closed due to the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic.

With many of the towns relying on tourism to survive, the body has called on residents from regional NSW, the ACT and border bubble communities to holiday on the south coast over coming months.

The campaign was initiated by Sapphire Coast Destination this week after the sudden evacuation of tens of thousands of Victorians. Picture: Davey Rogers

Bega Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick says now is the best time to visit the south coast. Picture: Facebook

Greg McKay has run the BIG4 Tathra Beach Holiday Park for more than two decades, and said the closure of the Victorian border on New Year’s Eve “was a heartbreaking start to the year” and yet another financial hit to the region reeling from multiple bushfires and the COVID-19 recession.

“Eighty per cent of the park upped and rushed home on New Year’s Eve,” Mr McKay said.

“The next day had an eerily similar feel to last year when bushfires ended our season before it even started.

“Looking around now, I just can’t believe this place is not buzzing as usual,” he said.

Bega Valley Mayor Russell Fitzpatrick said the loss of bookings has become “a significant opportunity for those who can still travel to the Sapphire Coast”.

“There may never be another time when you can enjoy a quintessential Sapphire Coast summer, just like a local but minus the crowds,” he said.

“Beautiful weather, pristine water, deserted beaches, an abundance of oysters, plenty of parking, amazing accommodation and locals who are thrilled to see you – the list of reasons to visit goes on and on.”

Merimbula Chamber of Commerce and Industry president, Nigel Ayling, said the situation was “not all doom and gloom”, with Qantas beginning flights from Sydney for the first time and the fact Victorians can visit but not return home.

“If they can afford hotel quarantine, or have a holiday home on the south coast then they will be staying to see what happens over the next few weeks,” he said.

“It’s a day-by-day proposition.”

The main street of Bermagui covered in smoke on January 4, 2020. The town has again seen thousands of tourists evacuated due to the closure of the Victorian border. Picture: Sean Davey

According to Destination Southern NSW, 70 per cent of average revenue, or $292 million, was lost from the Shoalhaven to the Bega Valley due to the bushfire evacuation last summer, with similar losses expected in towns near the border this year due to COVID-19 restrictions.

Almost 4000 jobs were impacted by the losses last year, they said.

Suncorp Insurance estimated the 2018 Tathra bushfires hurt the local economy, which relies heavily on tourism, by an estimated $207 million, or 33.7 per cent of local gross domestic profit.

Late last year, Tathra Chamber of Commerce and Industry president Carmen Risby said the summer period was set to be the town’s biggest yet, after marketing campaigns following last year’s mass evacuation.

With the cruise ship industry also on hold, the tourist town of Eden, which relies heavily on the spending of Victorian tourists, was left almost empty on New Year’s Day.

The town’s Great Southern Inn and Bermagui’s Beachside Cafe reopened on Wednesday after they were closed following confirmed visits by positive COVID-19 cases last week.

“We are now cleared to open, following a professional deep clean over the weekend,” the Great Southern Inn posted on Facebook.

“We remain a registered Covid Safe business, with all the necessary health and hygiene measures in place, to keep our community safe and stop the spread. We would like to thank you for your support and look forward to welcoming you back.”

The Beachside Cafe reopened on Thursday after the business waited for all staff to return negative COVID-19 results.

A Sapphire Coast Destination spokesman said: “For the second summer in a row, the Sapphire Coast witnessed a rapid, mass exodus of tourists over our busiest period.

“Put simply, our beautiful, untouched paradise hasn’t gone anywhere even though the crowds have.

“That’s good news for residents of Canberra, regional NSW or anyone within the border bubble, given they can now experience the region’s offerings with significantly more elbow room.

“With no crowds, no queues, and long white beaches almost all to yourself, visitors will quickly appreciate why the locals wouldn’t live anywhere else.”