Massive spike seen in Tasmanian accommodation searches as restrictions ease

As the state’s restrictions on intrastate travel ease this Friday afternoon, Tasmanian hotels and Airbnbs are preparing for an influx of locals booking long weekend stays. Wotif has revealed the most popular destinations this weekend >>

THOUGH their doors never fully closed, staff at the Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel are more than ready to begin welcoming travellers back to Hobart.

Old Woolstore, and Hadley’s Orient Hotel, chief executive Ben Targett said the Old Woolstore had restricted operation during the pandemic, so to be able to reopen to everyone was very exciting.

“The ability to have people come in and stay when they chose is important and exciting,” he said.

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“The restrictions have meant only essential travellers could stay with us, but now if they want they can come down and enjoy.

“We were marketing ourselves to be in the leisure market from June 15, but now we’ve been offering specials from Friday.

“The sooner we can build some momentum, the better off we will be.”

Mr Targett said Hadley’s would not reopen until July 1 due to some exciting changes.

“With Hadley’s, prior to COVID restrictions we were in the process of re-imagining the experience of staying at Hadley’s,” he said.

“Now as it’s been closed we’ve had an opportunity to do some research and better match the experience to a contemporary audience, particularly the local market.”

Old Woolstore Apartment Hotel property manager Ben Woodroffe excited to see travel restrictions easing. Picture: LUKE BOWDEN

With Tasmanians allowed to travel throughout the state from Friday 3pm, travel websites have seen an increase in people hunting down accommodation.

Wotif.com managing director Daniel Finch said in the last 24-hours since the announcement, they had seen Tasmanian travel interest increase by about 240 per cent.

“The immediate spike indicates the announcement is welcomed news for many Tasmanians who are keen to leave the house and get out and about, particularly over the long weekend,” he said.

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He said it was clear many Tasmanians were looking for the chance to get outdoors and enjoy some nature-based recreation, particularly on the East Coast.

According to the data, interest in the South East Coast was up 110 per cent, Launceston and the East Coast more than 90 per cent, the North-West Coast and Hobart and its surrounds at 65 per cent, and the state’s West near 60 per cent.

Airbnb had also seen a significant number of people across the state planning to travel over the long weekend.

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Head of public policy for Australia, Derek Nolan, said it was great to see Tasmanians wanting to get out and support the tourism industry as soon as they could.

“This has been an extremely challenging time for everyone across Tasmania's tourism industry and we’re really keen to help local tourism operators and small businesses get back on their feet,” he said.

He said there had also been a resurgence in people planning trips later into this year and for next year.

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“These searches are very encouraging early signs of domestic travel getting ready to bounce back and make a big contribution to Tasmania's economic recovery,” Mr Nolan said.

Airbnbs still available for the long weekend>>

If you’re looking for a unique place to spend the long weekend look no further than Airbnb, with these listings still available as of Wednesday evening.

In Hobart, you can book a stay in a luxury yacht on the Hobart waterfront, renovated stables on Macquarie Street, a rustic gypsy wagon at Bellerive, a tiny house overlooking a waterfall at Magra, pods on North Bruny Island, or inside a renovated church at Richmond.

In the state’s North, you can sleep in a vintage caravan, in a tiny cottage in award-winning gardens, or among the vines at a beautiful Grindlewald vineyard.

In the North-West you can go on a beautiful garden stay at Lower Wilmot, spend time among animals on a farmstay at Penguin, or stay on a boutique truffle farm at Lower Barrington.