Sky High Mount Dandenong: Coronavirus, bushfire smoke slash tourist numbers
It has one of the best views in Melbourne and only minutes from some of the most charming Bed and Breakfasts. But thanks to coronavirus fears and bushfire smoke tourists are avoiding the Dandenong Ranges.
Outer East
Don't miss out on the headlines from Outer East. Followed categories will be added to My News.
One of the Yarra Ranges most popular tourist attractions has had the brakes put on its peak tourist season with the double blow of bushfire smoke and the coronavirus
Mt Dandenong’s SkyHigh has experienced a significant drop in the arrival of busloads of tourists, from four a day to one a week.
Popular B&Bs and other accommodation business have also copped a drop in bookings, with bushfire smoke also a reason behind cancellations.
And there are fears it could get worse.
SkyHigh general manager Richard Pitt said while the cruise groups were still visiting, he expected virus fears would cut into that.
“We have noticed a drop in Chinese visitors for sure. They’re not coming up,” Mr Pitt said.
“Also the Chinese people living in Melbourne are not bring their overseas visitors.”
Mary Wiking, who runs Yarra Ranges Country Apartments, and also sat on the board of Yarra Ranges Tourism, said businesses were feeling the pinch.
She said the bushfire smoke had even been a concern for tourists in Hong Kong who had cancelled their trips.
“It’s right across the board. Everyone I’ve spoken to has felt their business is down by about 50 per cent,” Ms Wiking said.
“It’s had a major knock-on effect.”
Yarra Ranges Tourism chief executive Simon O’Callaghan said the impact was difficult to measure and the full affect would not be seen in the stats for another six months.
“It’s hard to measure because each business is individual and it depends on the products,” Mr O’Callaghan said.
“Some are geared toward day Chinese visitors and that’s where the impact is being felt.
MORE: CONTAGIOUS DISEASE RIFE IN MELBOURNE DOG PARKS
PUFFING BILLY CANCELS SERVICES DUE TO LOW TOURIST NUMBERS
“The tourism industry is going through a very tough time with the bushfire flow-on affects and the coronavirus impact.”
He said the tourism industry was in a holding pattern while there was no breakthrough in dealing with the coronavirus.
Yarra Ranges Cr Tony Stevenson encouraged people in the community who had cancelled their overseas trips to consider a staycation and take a trip in the Yarra Ranges and Yarra Valley instead.