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.<\/p>\n
Lorne enjoyed a particularly strong influx in tourists.<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
\u201cThis weekend, with the long weekend we\u2019re full, which is great, and school holidays are looking solid.<\/p>\n
\u201cAs soon as restrictions were eased our phones started ringing. We\u2019re still getting quite a bit of bookings coming every day.\u201d<\/p>\n
However, Mr Blackley did note \u201cconferencing won\u2019t be anything that we\u2019ll be doing anytime soon\u201d.<\/p>\n
Lorne Hotel owner and operator Paul Upham also reported a fruitful long weekend.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe were fully booked on Friday, Saturday and Sunday night.\u201d<\/p>\n
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.<\/p>\n
Yet he said the easing of restrictions had reinvigorated Lorne.<\/p>\n
\u201cSpeaking to people in town today, I think they\u2019ve had a really good weekend.\u201d<\/p>\n
Many tourists also chose Torquay as their destination for the long weekend.<\/p>\n
Peppers The Sands general manager Guy Feest said while business was still inhibited by restrictions, the weekend had been a reason for optimism.<\/p>\n
\u201cBusiness is looking much brighter than it has for quite some time. Saturday night, in particular, we\u2019ve almost reached 50 per cent occupancy.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Feest said they had been careful not to over-extend themselves to ensure guests\u2019 experience was not lessened by the various regulations.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe probably would have been 20-25 per cent more than we are now. We could have taken that business, but we\u2019ve made a conscious decision, because of the restrictions in other areas of the operation.<\/p>\n
\u201cIt\u2019s great to have people here, but if we compromise on service, it\u2019s kind of counter-productive.\u201d<\/p>\n
Mr Feest also noted Peppers The Sands were affected by large gatherings not being permitted.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe 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.\u201d<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
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 […]<\/p>\n