ALLENDALE East General Store owner John Lindquist believes tourism would step up if Piccaninnie Ponds Conservation Park was further developed, but warned it should be done in an environmentally friendly way.
A well-known business owner in the region, Mr Lindquist operates a dive shop in addition to his general store where he caters mainly for cave divers and snorkelers.
“Snorkelers from all over the world come to this region specifically for Piccaninnie and Ewens ponds,” he told The Border Watch yesterday.
“I have been in business here for over a decade and during the warmer months I find it hard to keep up with tourists wanting to hire wetsuits and other snorkeling gear.
“Sometimes groups of 20 to 30 people arrive at the same time ready to hit the water.
“Many of them come from Asia and Europe, but I have had tourists from Syria and Lebanon as well.
“From eight to 80 years old – they love it.”
Mr Lindquist said a developed Piccaninnie Ponds would attract other visitors in addition to divers and snorkelers.
“People who are not diving or snorkeling normally just have a quick look before driving off,” he said.
“That is a shame as the area has a lot on offer like top-class bird watching.
“A better developed site could persuade them to stay longer.”
However, he warned preserving the natural wonder and longevity of the site should be the main goal of any development.
“In an environmentally sensitive area like this one, we simply cannot afford to make any mistakes,” he said.
“It is a place that should be preserved for many generations to come.”
Scuba diving at Piccaninnie Ponds is restricted to divers accredited with the Cave Divers Association of Australia.
