Why you’ll struggle to book a summer holiday

After enduring the world’s longest lockdown, Melburnians are eagerly planning their summer vacation. But there’s one thing that could dash holiday hopes.

Inverloch is among the most searched destinations for a summer holiday. Picture: Gippsland Tourism

Regional tourism hotspots are booked solid this summer as visitors chase a change of scenery.

Accommodation and tourism businesses have been inundated with bookings after being allowed to reopen, as Victoria eases out of tough coronavirus restrictions that kept non-essential workplaces closed for months.

With travel limits scrapped and border rules relaxed for travel from NSW into Victoria, travellers cooped up at home are expected to flock to popular destinations in droves.

With Victorians able to travel freely across the state now that 80 per cent of the population is double vaccinated, metropolitan Melburnians have already booked out major Phillip Island tourism operators.

“Early indications show very high booking confirmations at our major venues,” a Destination Phillip Island spokeswoman said.

“Summer is our peak holiday season … Caravan and holiday parks are fully booked.”

Double the amount of bookings have been snapped up at accommodation throughout Gippsland over the next two months, with last-minute bookings from Melburnians also expected to spike.

Destination Gippsland chief executive Terry Robinson said holiday-makers had to book their trips as soon as possible to avoid being locked out of the east coast as businesses were operating under stricter rules during peak season.

“We’re already seeing strong demand for summer bookings in Gippsland, particularly in coastal locations such as Lakes Entrance, Wilsons Prom and Inverloch,” he said. “Regional businesses are rebuilding following months of stop-start restrictions, so may be facing challenges with density caps or restrictions.

“We encourage you to book ahead where possible, ‘travel kind’, take your time and be patient.”

Jackalope staff Olivia Green, Tobias Marks (chef) and Darrien Mehmed. Picture: Alex Coppel.

Jackalope Hotels Group general manager Tracy Atherton said the Mornington Peninsula accommodation and restaurant hub had been preparing for an influx of bookings as Melburnians celebrated their new-found freedom.

“We’ve seen an incredible rush on bookings for both Jackalope and Rare Hare since reopening dates were set, and we are expecting to run a full occupancy through summer,’ Ms Atherton said.

“People miss frequenting their favourite restaurants, taking day trips and weekends away, and I’m sure the support for hospitality will be huge over the coming months.”

Ms Atherton said the booking rush would help regenerate the local hospitality industry.

“I think everyone appreciates how hard hospitality has been hit over the past 18 months,” she said.

“While restaurants and cafes have been able to pivot to takeaway models, accommodation, both regional and city, have just had to close their doors.”

Victorian Tourism Industry Council chief executive Felicia Mariani encouraged travel-starved Victorians to “think and plan ahead” to avoid placing strain on businesses

“It’s going to be an incredibly busy time for operators, so we ask visitors to please be patient and tolerant so they can be provided with the best experience.”

But Ms Atherton said staffing shortages could stop businesses from bouncing back fully equipped for the summer rush.

“There’s a national shortage of hospitality workers, and many businesses are in a difficult position of not having the staff to operate at full capacity,” she said.

“But I’m hopeful that we’ll have our busiest summer ever on the Peninsula and see a quick recovery for local businesses.”

Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism is trialling a pilot job-matching program to help businesses across Geelong, Bellarine, and the Great Ocean Road to recruit a full workforce during peak season.

Phil and Judy Coates are planning to take their caravan all around Victoria over the summer. Picture: Alex Coppel.

The board’s general manager, Liz Price, said: “We want to take the recruitment pressure off employers, lifting that weight from their shoulders so they can focus on getting their businesses back to full speed.”

Holiday rental website Airbnb has already seen a spike in searches for accommodation along Victoria’s coastlines, with Lorne, Rye and Sorrento the most searched locations for stays between October 10 and January 31 next year.

Apollo Bay, Lakes Entrance and Port Fairy were among the other holiday destinations Victorians were searching for on Airbnb.

Port Fairy is one of the most searched places on Airbnb. Picture: Visit Victoria

But Ms Mariani said one peak season wasn’t enough for an industry-wide recovery, adding it could take up to five years for a “full recovery”. “Many of these businesses have been shut down for months and months and have lost hundreds and thousands, if not millions, of revenue, particularly the accommodation sector,” she said.

“It’s terrific to have a great peak period but we are going to need a sustained level of visitation and for interstate and international borders
to reopen.”

Safety Beach residents Paul and Judy Coates plan to chase a tree change in their caravan across the state.

Mr Coates, 80, said the couple were accustomed to long trips on the road together and looked forward to setting off, planning to stay at camping spots from Rupanyup, Minyip and Brim to Rushworth, Tawonga, Mitta Mitta and Corryong for the Man from Snowy River Festival over Easter.

“We have missed travelling very, very much being isolated in our home while others have travelled to Queensland and Western Australia,” Mr Coates said.

“We will continue to travel through the winter, mainly in Victoria in case of border closures, as there is so much to see in this state and we continue to enjoy our hobbies of fishing and gold detecting.”