Elsie Adamo
DESPITE uncertainty with restrictions due to the Covid-19 pandemic, tourists have been flooding into the region.
The sudden changes in protocols have spooked some holiday makers, but most spots in caravan parks are full for the silly season – for now.
Julie Liebelt, owner of Lakeside Tourist Park in Robe, said the cancellations have been manageable so far.
“We have had a few cancellations, but we have managed to replace them with people that are still willing to travel,” Ms Liebelt said.
“We probably got, all up, 20 cancellations over Christmas and New Year’s.”
But Ms Liebelt is concerned about an increase in cancellations after the Boxing Day and New Year’s Eve rush, and is less optimistic these spaces will be filled.
“I do not think people are going to come, purely because of the borders,” she said.
“Each state premier is doing different things, and every five minutes the goal posts change.
“A lot of people have decided it is just too hard to travel this year.”
Ms Liebelt has noticed a change in the public’s attitude when it comes to tourism and hospitality vendors, with less patience for businesses than previously shown.
“It has been horrible, last year was a breeze, this year has been dreadful,” she said.
“I was in tears the other day because you have got people demanding their money back.
“You are trying to talk to them about cancellation policies, that we will not be able to fill their cancellation on such short notice.
“They cannot see your point of view, you are still trying to make a living.”
Despite this, Ms Liebelt said she does sympathise with the community.
“They have been locked up for so long, and all they want is a holiday,” she said.
“And now it could be taken away from them again.”
A similar level of cancellations have been seen in Beachport and Port MacDonnell, but caravan parks are still mostly sold out.
Heidi Prouse, manager at the Beachport Southern Ocean Tourist Park, said they have filled up their spaces for the next couple weeks.
“There have been a few cancellations, but they have been easily filled,” Ms Prouse said.
“There are people that are worried but they are trying to do the right thing and they are staying in their little area.”
