A MOUNT Gambier tourism leader has welcomed the proposed lifting of regional travel restrictions amid businesses “haemorrhaging” from the coronavirus economic crisis.
Tourism Mount Gambier chair Ben Deering’s comments come as the State Government foreshadows regional travel could be reinstated within the state’s borders.
South Australia has not recorded a new COVID-19 case for two weeks.
The return of intrastate travel could reignite Mount Gambier’s crippled visitor economy given it is viewed as a safe provincial centre with expansive natural attractions.
It is understood occupancy rates across the city’s accommodation sector have nose-dived from between 60 and 90pc to just 5pc.
But there appears to be no support within the sector or regional health leaders to revive interstate travel given new COVID-19 cases emerging in Victoria and New South Wales.
Standing at the city’s northern gateway, Mr Deering said the majority of tourism-related businesses would welcome regional travel within the state reopening.
But he said COVID-19 safety measures would need to be in place to protect both visitors and operators.
“It will not be a free for all,” Mr Deering said.
He said Tourism Mount Gambier and the city’s Chamber of Commerce were working collectively to roll out a COVID-19 preparedness program for regional businesses.
“We want businesses to feel prepared and for visitors to have the confidence Mount Gambier is a great area to have a long weekend,” Mr Deering said.
He said many tourist-related businesses were struggling through a period of zero income.
“They are hurting a lot. We are hoping we will not lose businesses, but logically we are going to be lose some. There have already been a number of casualties.”
While the safety and health of the community must remain paramount, he said it was important some economic activity returned to the devastated sector.
He said among the hardest hit was the city’s accommodation sector, including hotels, motels and holiday parks.
“They have virtually had zero bookings. The only people travelling are essential workers such as medical professionals, fly-in-out workers and some businesses people with head offices in Adelaide,” the industry leader said.
But he warned the opening of the sector must be done sequentially and slowly.
“We do not want to open the door all the way, but we want to let some people through,” Mr Deering said.
“This is not all about profits. Businesses operators are people and residents too. We have to strike the right balance.
“This is not a money grab. We will start in stages to open things up.”
But he conceded there could be an element of the community that may want to see restrictions remain given the COVID-19 health threat.
Regional medical chief comfortable with intrastate regional travel.
LIMESTONE Coast Local Health Network executive director of medical services Dr Elaine Pretorius said she would support regional travel within South Australia.
But she warned against lifting current border restrictions given this could trigger a second wave in South Australia given Victoria and New South Wales were still recording new COVID-19 cases.
“Regional travel within South Australia should be okay,” Dr Pretorius said.
She said the State Government was canvassing the easing of some restrictions.
“We will have to wait to see what the State Government decides,” she said.
But the medical chief warned restrictions should not be lifted too quickly and called for controls on interstate travel to continue.
Dr Pretorius aired concerns some travellers crossing the border into South Australia were potentially flouting the 14-day quarantine rules.
State tourism commission proposes strong regional visitor campaign.
SOUTH Australian Tourism Commission (SATC) – which has held discussions with regional leaders – says regional areas are eager to welcome back visitors as soon as health experts give the green light.
“The domestic opportunity is massive. South Australians spend $3.3b on overseas holidays – the commission is working to direct this money back into the state,” chief executive Rodney Harrex said.
The commission has flagged a marketing campaign with a strong call-to-action for bookings for regional areas.
“There are opportunities for regions as the self-drive market (road trips) and nature-based experiences are likely to be immediately popular among South Australians where they can easily social distance.
“SATC is focused on how we can remind South Australians of what’s in their backyard as soon as the state’s chief medical officer advises that it is safe to travel within the state, ” Mr Harrex said.
