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Holiday makers defy recession

Posted on January 2, 2009, 10:10am

Holiday makers are thumbing their nose at a global recession and flocking to the South East, booking out accommodation centres across the region.

After The Border Watch this week reported strong visitor numbers at Mount Gambier, solid accommodation bookings have also been confirmed at Robe, Kingston, Beachport, Naracoorte, Penola and Millicent.

Naracoorte Visitor Information Centre tourism officer Brenton Kahl said the town was full and there were no signs of a recession.

Mr Kahl said the centre had 795 visitors walk through its doors during December, 200 more than at the same time last year.

“They mainly want to know about the caves and the swimming lake,” he said.

“The Tiny Train Park is very popular; the people who go out to Avenue Emus and the cheese factory seem to like it too.”

The Naracoorte caves are experiencing one of their busiest times in six years with 10pc more visitors than last year.

Caves manager Decima McTernan said many people liked to visit the fossil cave and night tours of the Bat Cave were proving popular with families.

Beachport Visitor Information Centre tourism officer Susan Gray said the town was almost fully booked.

Ms Gray said about 120 people were calling into the centre each day and she expected it to remain busy until at least January 11.

“Four-wheel driving is the biggest thing here,” she said.

“Most people are coming in to get the 4WD maps, but they also like to go fishing, to the conservation park and Pool of Siloam.”

Robe Visitor Information Centre acting tourism manager Leonie Peel said there were more organised activities for people to do in Robe this year than previously.

From kayaking on the lakes and at Long Beach to Tiger Moth rides and bike and boogie board hire, Ms Peel said people seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Ms Peel said there were few signs of the recession.

“All along the coast I think people were generally vying for the more affordable accommodation first; we have noticed that,” she said.

“Our bookings for late January are a lot slower than in other years, I believe, but they are still filling up.”

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