THE region’s local government sector is rolling out a multi-prong strategy to ensure the shattered tourism industry can rebound when restrictions ease.
The plan – which will be implemented within months – comes as the region’s tourism sector begins to crawl out of hibernation.
A number of tourism iconic attractions – including the Naracoorte and Tantanoola Caves – were reopened to the public yesterday following the COVID-19 shutdown.
While the borders remain restricted, the State Government is encouraging travel within South Australia.
It is understood a number of caravan parks and accommodation facilities have received a flurry of inquiries from potential visitors.
While there has been some grassroots push for hospitality venues to open to indoor dining ahead of the June long weekend, the State Government has indicated there will be no further lifting of restrictions until June 8.
Statistics show nearly 900 tourism-related businesses have been swept up in the COVID-19 restrictions.
Limestone Coast Local Government Association president Erika Vickery said the organisation was working on a comprehensive blueprint to reboot the visitor economy.
She said a coordinated approach to marketing and promotion was vital given there were nine visitor information centres and 24 tourism groups cross the region.
“Tourism is a big and important business. The COVID-19 restrictions have had a wide impact, not just on accommodation and restaurants. There have been spin-offs to everyone,” Ms Vickery said.
“We will try and get them all back.”
Ms Vickery said a coordinated marketing approach was needed given there would be strong competition between regions in the realm of digital promotion.
She said the blueprint included supporting business to rebuild, helping them access funding, ensuring strong advocacy and coordinating the return of events so their dates did not clash.
“There is a big push by the State Government for inter-regional travel to restart. Caravan parks and other businesses have bad a lot of inquiry. There has been quite of a lot of interest,” Ms Vickery said.
“We are now seeing people beginning to move.”
But she said the regional tourism sector and Local Government would be guided by State Government what they “can and can’t do”.
Cr Vickery said further easing of restrictions were not expected to be rolled out until after the June long weekend.
Regarding the future of the tourism industry, the local government leader said it was too early to fully understand the long-term consequences of the health pandemic.
“We are hoping the region can rebuild its visitor economy as best as it can. Maybe some businesses will need to do things differently and some may or not survive. It is too early to tell,” she said.
Ms Vickery urged tourism-related businesses to tap into offerings by the SA Tourism Commissions and Tourism Industry SA such as free webinars and funding opportunities.
Campsites across the state’s national parks and reserves yesterday re-opened, which coincided with the removal of restrictions on regional travel in South Australia.
Environment Minister David Speirs said the state’s iconic tourism sites had amended services to ensure restrictions on gatherings and social distancing could be maintained.
“It’s really heartening that from today South Australians are once again able to visit iconic tourism sites across the state,” Mr Speirs said.
“You’ll be able to visit the gift shop, get takeaway coffee and food from the café and visit a wide variety of native animals in their enclosures.
“Earlier this week we saw a huge response to our reopening of campgrounds in South Australia’s national parks with nearly 900 people making bookings in the first 24 hours and I expect there will be the same enthusiasm to revisit our iconic tourism sites.”
The minister urged everyone to visit these places responsibly to ensure they did not undo the good work that had been achieved in South Australia.
“So please continue to follow all directives on social distancing, comply with relevant limits on gatherings, wash your hands and download the COVIDsafe app,” Mr Speirs said.
The Naracoorte Caves Wonambi Visitor centre and self-guided tour of the Stick Tomato Cave and diorama are now be available with more tours coming online there on June 8.
The Naracoorte Caves café will re-open on Monday, as will tour options at the Tantanoola Caves.
The Naracoorte Caves caravan and camping ground has already reopened, and the Naracoorte Caves bunkhouse will re-open for bookings from Monday.
For more detailed and up-to-date information on what services are available at State Government tourism sites visit: https://www.environment.sa.gov.au/our-places
To book South Australian campsite online visit https://www.parks.sa.gov.au/booking
