The dramatic switch brought about by COVID-19 restrictions will result in the biggest bonanza in Australian tourism since the Golden Days of two weeks in Terrigal or Sussex Inlet.
If you were really cashed up, you would head for a flash place like Port Macquarie or Katoomba…or the ultimate…
camping at Coolangatta!
Well, those lovely places are now back on the agenda, but I would also encourage you to head further west to Bathurst, Orange, Wellington and Dubbo this summer. Then return by Gulgong and Mudgee.
The Government wants all NSW residents to be a COVID safe tourist in their own backyard and support local businesses by booking tours and visiting attractions.
Minister for Tourism Stuart Ayres said NSW residents could help reboot the state’s visitor economy by hitting the road for a short-break, taking a Sydney ‘playcation’, or even making the most of a day trip.
“There’s something special about being a tourist and giving yourself permission to enjoy experiences that we usually reserve for holidays,” Minister Ayres said.
“Treat yourself to a ‘playcation’ around Sydney and NSW - take a guided tour, book a hotel stay, dine at a special restaurant, or visit a local attraction.
“We all want to make a difference by staying and spending locally, so let’s enjoy all corners of NSW and jam-pack our itineraries with NSW’s finest experiences.
“You’ll be rewarded with the diversity and beauty of our state and make a huge difference to our tourism businesses that are doing it tough.”
The NSW Government is releasing two new tools to inspire holidaymakers and help them ‘value-add’ to their stay:
• An interactive ‘Love NSW’ map that allows travellers to search for and identify tourism experiences based on theme. Users can also find experiences within three hours’ drive of a selected location, or zoom in to street level to see links to even more tourism businesses (www.lovensw.com.au).
• A series of new Sydney ‘playcation’ itineraries highlighting the luxury, family, outdoor adventure, foodie, culture, romance and wellness experiences on offer across the CBD and Greater Sydney (www.sydney.com).
Trends in holiday planning show that the top three types of holiday Australians will take in the next 12 months are a road trip, 68%, a trip to visit friends and family, 66% and a trip to the countryside, 65%.
“Recent research shows that, compared to pre-COVID, travellers are 76% more likely to support local businesses and communities and 68% more likely to visit parts of Australia they haven’t been to before,” Mr Ayres said.
“We’ve all had our lives on hold for six months or more, now’s the time to get out there, enjoy our NSW stories, landscapes and experiences and turn 2020 around together.
“Now’s the time to support our local tourism operators but it’s not a time to be complacent.”
Holidaymakers are encouraged to phone ahead to confirm bookings and check local conditions with business operators.
For more information www.nsw.gov.au/covid-19
*Dallas Sherringham is the Access Travel Editor and is Editor of Australian Travel Magazine and Mature Traveller.
