Tourism in Echuca on hold until Christmas

Flooding is set to destroy tourism in Echuca in the short term but locals are hoping to have the industry running again by Christmas.

For the third year running, tourism along the Murray River is set to take a massive hit as major floods threaten Echuca.

Tourism providers in the border town have closed up shop and Murray Regional Tourism chief executive Will Flamsteed said Echuca was out of reach to tourists.

“At the moment Echuca is pretty much closed down, you can’t even get there because of the road closures,” he said.

An aerial view of flooding in Echuca. Picture : Facebook

“I can’t really say when things will open up again.. Anyone hoping to visit the town should be keeping an eye on road closures and flood warnings.”

But it’s not all bad news for the town, with hopes the tourism industry will be back open in time for the Christmas school holidays.

“Bookings are still strong around the Christmas period, and we are hoping to be opened up by then,” Mr Flamsteed said.

“But it all really depends on how well the town rallies, Echuca is really strong community so hopefully by Christmas time things will start to open up again.”