Prime Minister’s Easter Message and Tourism Trends
As the Easter long weekend approached, Prime Minister Anthony Albanese delivered a rare national address encouraging Australians to continue with their plans as usual. His message was straightforward: “Enjoy your Easter,” he said, “and if you’re hitting the road, don’t take more fuel than you need.” This advice came amid growing concerns from tourism operators about potential booking cancellations, especially in regional areas, due to high fuel prices.
Regional Businesses See Mixed Results
Despite these worries, the results for many businesses were mixed. Some saw dips in bookings, while others experienced record visitation over the Easter period. Tom Ward, owner of Swinging Bridge vineyard in Orange, New South Wales, reported that his business had its busiest-ever Easter period, with a 19 per cent increase in sales and a 10 per cent rise in visitation. He noted that the four-day period brought in as many visitors as the entire month of February.
However, some bookings were cancelled due to concerns over fuel costs and the closure of the Great Western Highway. These losses were quickly offset by visitors from Sydney and Canberra who were eager to make the trip and spend money. Mr. Ward expressed hope that this positive trend would continue despite rising cost-of-living pressures.
Byron Bay Remains Popular Despite Bluesfest Cancellation
In northern NSW, Byron Bay remained a popular destination despite the cancellation of Bluesfest. Brendon Keys, who travelled from New Zealand, said the fuel crisis hadn’t significantly impacted his plans, as he had been planning the trip for months. He described the area as “pumping” with people everywhere.
Meanwhile, Coffs Harbour restaurateur Marcus Blackwell reported typical Easter trading figures but expressed concern about the rest of the school holidays. He questioned whether visitors would stay for two weeks or if numbers would gradually decline.
Decline in Capital City Tourism
In Canberra, the National Zoo and Aquarium saw a 10 per cent drop in Easter visitation. Director Renee Nasserpour attributed this to increased fuel prices, interest rates, and economic uncertainty. She noted that the downward trend began when petrol prices reached their peak and that the impact was felt across the organisation, including reduced visitor numbers and spending at Jamala Wildlife Lodge.
Freight costs, particularly for transporting animal food, also added to the challenges faced by the zoo.
Tasmania’s Tourism Sector Remains Resilient
Tasmania’s tourism sector reported largely unaffected numbers, according to the state’s peak tourism body. Amy Hills, CEO of the Tourism Industry Council Tasmania, noted that most businesses reported a typical holiday weekend. However, she highlighted concerns about fuel uncertainty and its impact on future planning and investment.
Luke Ollington of the Farm Shed East Coast Wine Centre in Bicheno was surprised by the strong performance of his business, which saw better-than-expected trade. Similarly, the Flying Saucer Cafe in Fingal reported a “personal best” for the Easter period, with double the number of visitors compared to last year.
Challenges for Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula
Tourism operators on Victoria’s Mornington Peninsula reported “pretty solid” visitor numbers over the Easter weekend. However, Angela Cleland, CEO of Mornington Peninsula Regional Tourism, noted that it was unclear whether these numbers would translate into healthy sales and profits. She pointed out that the previous year’s figures were inflated due to consecutive Easter and Anzac Day long weekends.
The region’s reliance on private transportation made it vulnerable to changes in consumer confidence. In contrast, Dargo in Victoria’s east saw a 20 per cent drop in visitors, attributed to higher fuel costs. Grant Shields, owner of Dargo General Store, noted that while the area offers free camping, the cost of getting there remained a challenge.
Motorists Navigate Rising Fuel Costs
For many Australians, the rising fuel costs have had a noticeable impact. Jade Hewitson, who visited Port Moorowie, said her petrol costs had almost doubled. While her small engine car was less affected, she still found it expensive. Dustin Willis, who took a family trip to Port Vincent, noted an extra $70 in fuel costs but remained undeterred.
Steve Potts, who stopped at a petrol station on his way to Marion Bay, expressed hope that fuel prices might drop but admitted he was not optimistic. As fuel prices continue to fluctuate, the tourism sector remains cautious about the future.
