Accommodation sector buoyed by local support over school break

Tasmanians have got out with gusto over the school holidays, filling hotel rooms and caravan parks across the State as the tourism sector reports a bumper first month of winter.

• Make Yourself at Home campaign urges locals to explore state
• Why we should holiday at home and support Tassie businesses

HOTELS, Airbnb, holiday houses and caravan park bookings have surged over the school holidays despite Tasmania’s borders staying firmly shut as locals heed the call to holiday at home.

Peppers Cradle Mountain Lodge was fully booked over the two weeks and Freycinet Holiday Houses reported 400 guests on a single day across its 84 house offerings.

“We have been overwhelmed by the support and been extremely busy. Tasmanians are supporting us and it is so heartening,’ a spokeswoman from the site said as guests started heading home after the two-week break.

Caravan parks have also reported good numbers – especially seeing as winter is traditionally quiet even when interstate and international tourists were coming in.

“The weather was kind and we were about half full which is really good for this time of year. People seemed thrilled to be able to get out and about again,” a spokeswoman from the Big 4 Holiday park in Ulverstone said.

Airbnb’s Head of Public Policy for Australia Derek Nolan said same-state domestic bookings in Tasmania for the month of June were up by 106 per cent, when compared with the same period in 2019.

The Friendly Beaches form part of Freycinet National Park. Picture: Stuart Gibson

“We’ve seen Tasmanians really embrace domestic travel within their own state – and these are very encouraging early signs. While these are uncertain times, it’s been heartening to see people hit the road and support local businesses in areas that have been doing it tough,” Mr Nolan said.

“Towns across every corner of the state have been welcoming plenty of their fellow Tasmanians. We’re particularly seeing people searching for unique and affordable getaways that will give them a really authentic local experience.”

In March, as the COVID-19 pandemic hit Tasmania, it was reported 200 Airbnb properties had been returned to the private rental market as booking dried up along with the introduction of travel and social distancing restrictions.