Tourists return to the Surf Coast

ACCOMMODATION providers across the Surf Coast were encouraged by how many people chose the region as their getaway destination for the long weekend, although it is still some way off business as usual.

Lorne enjoyed a particularly strong influx in tourists.

Cumberland Lorne Resort general manager Richard Blackley said the long weekend was indicative of the rapid change in business they had experienced since coronavirus restrictions eased.

“This weekend, with the long weekend we’re full, which is great, and school holidays are looking solid.

“As soon as restrictions were eased our phones started ringing. We’re still getting quite a bit of bookings coming every day.”

However, Mr Blackley did note “conferencing won’t be anything that we’ll be doing anytime soon”.

Lorne Hotel owner and operator Paul Upham also reported a fruitful long weekend.

“We were fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.”

Mr Upham said despite this, Lorne Hotel was only at a fraction of its usual capacity, as they had limited the number of guests in each section to adhere to restrictions.

Yet he said the easing of restrictions had reinvigorated Lorne.

“Speaking to people in town today, I think they’ve had a really good weekend.”

Many tourists also chose Torquay as their destination for the long weekend.

Peppers The Sands general manager Guy Feest said while business was still inhibited by restrictions, the weekend had been a reason for optimism.

“Business is looking much brighter than it has for quite some time. Saturday night, in particular, we’ve almost reached 50 per cent occupancy.”

Mr Feest said they had been careful not to over-extend themselves to ensure guests’ experience was not lessened by the various regulations.

“We probably would have been 20-25 per cent more than we are now. We could have taken that business, but we’ve made a conscious decision, because of the restrictions in other areas of the operation.

“It’s great to have people here, but if we compromise on service, it’s kind of counter-productive.”

Mr Feest also noted Peppers The Sands were affected by large gatherings not being permitted.

“The challenge for a property our size and several of our competitors is that a lot of our business was – and hopefully in the future will always be – based on conferences and events rather than just leisure travellers coming up for the weekend. That business is something that might take a little while longer to get back to us.”