COVID-19 restrictions: Tourism operators are ready for business
South Coast tourism operators are gearing up for vistors again, excited after the Premier’s announcement the state is opening up regional NSW.
The South Coast News
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South Coast tourism managers and operators are excited about the future after surviving the horror start to 2020.
After withstanding the summer’s bushfires, flooding and then the coronavirus pandemic, tourism operators have already reported an uptake in inquiries and bookings since NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced lifting travel restrictions from June 1.
Merimbula Beach Cabins owner Pete Piccione said the phone had been “a bit quiet” since travel restrictions were put in place to slow the spread of COVID-19, but that things had already picked up.
“As of today we’ve had quite an uptake in inquiries and bookings,” he said.
“It is fantastic news, provided it does not backfire.”
Historically the far South Coast also receives attention from Victorian visitors, but it has been seeing more NSW visitors as roads improve.
“Straight after the bushfires we had a lot of people visiting the region. We got a few people from the upper South Coast and regional NSW. That was fantastic and I think that it will be a bit of the same again. People will want to stay local.”
Various South Coast and Illawarra tourism leaders have also responded positively to the change in travel policy.
New Bega Valley mayor Sharon Tapscott said the council welcomed the announcement around easing domestic travel restrictions.
“To the end of 2019, the Bega Valley Shire visitor economy was worth over $400 million per annum, highlighting its great importance to our shire,” Ms Tapscott said in a statement.
“Fire, flood and the pandemic have had an enormous impact on our community in the recent months and this promises to provide a timely boost for our small business owners in particular.
“It is imperative though that everyone remains mindful and diligent surrounding personal hygiene and adhering to the physical distancing measures.”
Eurobodalla Council tourism manager Tim Booth says it was poised to restart promoting the region as a must-visit holiday destination.
While COVID-19 restrictions were in place Eurobodalla Council began to develop an interactive website that will let local residents and businesses personally invite family, friends and customers to visit.
“In between bushfires and COVID-19, we had three photographers go out and capture 70 separate locations to showcase the destination and how much beauty still remains,” Mr Booth said. “We have been working to develop this into a website where local residents and businesses will be able to send iPostcards to their loved ones and customers to invite them to come and stay.”
Eurobodalla Tourism has also had videographers on the ground, capturing businesses and experiences, ready for promotion now travel is permitted within NSW.
“It’s also important we support local businesses and start to rebuild our economy. We’ll be easing back into our promotions and the visiting friends and relatives campaign is a good place to start,” he said.
Further north, Shoalhaven Council’s acting tourism manager Shannan Perry-Hall said council and tourism operators were excited to learn of an official date when restrictions for regional travel would be lifted, noting it had already had an affect on the accommodation industry.
“I’ve spoken to some operators this morning and they’re all really keen to have this news,” she said. “Some have already seen a slight increase in inquiries.”
Tourism in the Shoalhaven is a billion dollar industry relying not just on amount of visitors, but people spending across a range of sectors such as food, drink, retail, accommodation and experiences.
Ms Perry-Hall said visitors do need to need to be mindful that some areas such as national parks and campgrounds were closed due to bushfire damage.
She also understands there may be some doubts about travelling when COVID-19 is still active.
“Due to our proximity to Sydney and Canberra we do estimate that we can have quite a number of visitors, but on the other hand, people might be nervous about travelling.”
While Destination Wollongong general manager Mark Sleigh said the eased restrictions were a good step in the right direction, he didn’t expect to see a lot of change in terms of tourism in the Illawarra.
“As long as the group restrictions of 10 or even 20 people, we won’t see a lot of change for the tourism and hospitality industries,” he said.
“That kind of capacity is really reserved for the local community to come out and support small business.”
Mr Sleigh said the tourism industry had been “decimated” in recent months following the horrific bushfires and COVID-19 outbreak, however he said, the eased restrictions were a good indication things could be back up and running as close to normal as possible by the Christmas holidays.