Grey nomads can offer a boost to Outback areas.
While some grey nomads are tentatively back on the open road, the Covid-19 crisis is continuing to hammer tourism in this country.
New figures from Tourism Research Australia show domestic travel spending plummeted by more than $11 billion in April and May this year, at the height of Covid-19 restrictions, compared to the same period in 2019.
The data shows that spending in Victoria dropped by 92%, while it was down by 89% in both New South Wales and the Northern Territory.
Tourism Minister Simon Birmingham told the ABC that, while anecdotally there had been some improvement in several states since then, there were major challenges still confronting the sector.
“The states that have been doing well in re-opening their economies safely have seen people eager to get out of the cities and into regional communities and that there’s an uptick in terms of regional accommodation bookings and travel in general,” he said. “But there’s still plenty of parts of the tourism industry doing it very, very tough.”
Senator Birmingham said those Australians who could afford to travel safely it should ‘think outside the square’ and approach a holiday at home like they would an overseas one.
“An Australian holiday for an Australian shouldn’t just be about going back to that regular spot at the beach you’ve always gone to but you should really get out, explore our country and book something exciting,” he said. “Undertake an adventure-based activity, a cultural tour, get out with nature through a guided tour program because they’re the businesses that are doing it very tough right now.”
Given that it will be some time before international visitors are arriving in Australia again, many tourism operators are now pivoting to try to attract visitors from much closer to home.
Vivienne Golding runs kayaking tours in Queensland’s Noosa region. She told the ABC that more than 60% of her customers used to come from overseas, but she is now seeing a lot more people from south-east Queensland.
“Because people haven’t been able to go on their holidays and travel overseas or travel interstate they’re looking for things to do locally that they’re allowed to go and do,” she said. “I think people are starting to travel in their own backyard and they’re being surprised and delighted by what we have to offer.”
We have just been to Payne’s Find, Mount Magnet and Morawa. Absolutely wonderful.
Grey nomads are not a “cash cow ” to be milked for the benefit of others
I for one worked from age fifteen to age seventy two I’m now. Seventy five
Since the beginning of this pandemic we were told go home your not welcome well now I will decide where I go and where I spend my money
If you want my money you will have to earn it no more expensive caravan bays Excessive tour prices ten dollar toasted sandwiches. Expensive soft drinks .Yes freight may be expensive but you chose where to set up business.i for one am sick of people thinking I should solve their problems
As I said you want my money give me value I will give you money
Very well said Ged.
100% with you on that comment GED
Absolutely agree. We are over the cost plus mentality tourism operators use for their businesses. As GED said, you want my money, give me value…”
Well spoken – very nomads will agree
We’ve just returned from a trip up into the NSW tablelands. Beautiful scenery but was just to cold for us at this time of year. Headed to the east coast in search of the sun. Will definitely be back when the weather gets warmer.