SOUTH Australia’s regional tourism is being handicapped by inadequate roads and access to water, power and internet services, according to Robe Mayor Peter Riseley.
“Robe has the potential for great growth in tourist numbers, with significant interest from the Chinese who have ties dating back to the gold rush, but the region is not meeting its potential,” Mr Riseley said.
“Every year 1.8 million tourists drive from Melbourne down the Great Ocean Road, reach Portland and turn back.
“I would love to see 10pc of those come further to Robe and further into South Australia.
“Private companies are investing significantly in regions, investing in playgrounds, water parks and cabins, but this needs to be matched by a public investment in infrastructure.
“Tourists to the Limestone Coast have to share the road with B-double trucks transporting 170 tonnes of potatoes every day, as well as tonnes of grapes, onions, carrots, pulses, sheep and cattle.
“We’re expecting two million tonnes of forestry products will be moved over the next three years and the roads are really not up to it.
“Investing in wider roads would be the single most important investment to assist the self-drive sector of tourism, making for better travel conditions and reducing the risk of accidents between travellers and transport trucks.”
Mr Riseley said the self-drive sector could be so much stronger with better roads, lower power and water prices and access to the internet.
“Regional communities had been forced to aggregate demand and build their own virtual private networks to get access to adequate internet,” he said.
“When 7000 people descend on Robe over the summer, the communications network cannot cope.
“Robe has a strong pull for Chinese tourists who tend to spend about $400 a day when they are travelling, significantly more than other tourists.
“Many of them rely on their smartphones to translate, so it makes sense they have access to wi-fi services when they are travelling.
“Tourism SA has recently announced a project to bring wi-fi to the main street of Robe which will make a big difference, but there is a lot more we could be doing to make the most of our tourism opportunities.
“Ideally we should be investing in better hospitality training for the local workforce so that we can cater for overseas tourists more effectively.”
