The last two years have been challenging for local businesses and the tourism industry due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce President Hayley Neumann said some businesses were experiencing challenges while others were going really well.
Ms Neumann said the agricultural industry was doing particularly well, apart from lobster fishing.
“Livestock and all those businesses that support the livestock industry seem to be having a great year so far, and that’s been really good with cattle prices and the market being good,” she said.
However, Ms Neumann said tourism and hospitality businesses were struggling and a lack of tourists and strict close contact rules were two of the biggest challenges businesses faced.
“They’re still trying to play catch-up for the past two years and they’re having issues with staffing,” Ms Neumann said.
“We’re not back to how we were before.”
Ms Neumann said locals also had not entirely started the process of going out again and people were still staying away from others due to the risk of becoming a close contact.
Ms Neumann said the easing of restrictions each fortnight was helping and gave businesses confidence for their future.
“We have got winter coming, unfortunately cancelled events and that’s always disheartening, but I think what we have got in our community is a really great sense of having a go and trying anything to keep going,” she said.
“So I really hope our locals support those businesses that are struggling and have struggled over the past couple of years.”
Ms Neumann reminded everyone to shop local and support local and praised new businesses which recently opened in Mount Gambier, such as cafés and Mexican restaurant Casa de Tequila.
“For those businesses out there that are struggling, we are here for you and we hope the future is brighter,” she said.
“And also a big congratulations to all those businesses who are starting up, there are quite a few new businesses which is also very positive, and I just hope they all do well.”
Blue Lake Holiday Park director Tim Rowett said visitors numbers were slowly picking up and was happy with booking numbers increasing.
“To be honest, COVID times have not been too bad for us,” Mr Rowett said.
“We have had pretty good years the past couple of years so we’re just trying to match last year’s figures really.”
Mr Rowett said they were essentially fully booked during January and lots of contract workers were beginning to stay at the park again.
Most of their tourists were from South Australia and Victoria, so Mr Rowett said when the borders were closed to Victoria it had impacted the business but bookings were improving now restrictions had eased.
“All of the grey nomads are back on the roads again now the holidays are finished,” he said.
“People are excited to get back out again.
“If it can keep going as it is going we will be pretty happy.”
