All roads will lead to the Limestone Coast, with an influx of around 30,000 tourists expected to visit over the holiday season.
Limestone Coast Local Government Association Acting Destination Development Manager Tamara North said tourist numbers were expected to exceed the 2019 pre-COVID numbers.
“We are hoping the future booking data we are seeing continues the way it is predicted and we will be able to see one of the best summer visitor periods for the region,” Ms North said.
“The accommodation providers across the region are seeing a great range of bookings across the region.
“It is looking like we will have a fantastic holiday season.”
Ms North said she was more than excited to see tourists returning to the Limestone Coast and hoped to see a great range of international and intrastate visitors back again this year.
“We are excited to see people in the region exploring the many different attractions and experiences we have,” she said.
“This summer season is a fantastic chance for all visitors and locals to come and explore the wonderful unique attractions, experience, food and wine we have across our wonderful region.
“We encourage the locals to get out and explore our wonderful corner of the world.”
The Chamber president Candice Fennell said there were plenty of caravans around Mount Gambier and the town was already seeing the effects of a busy holiday period.
“There is activity here, whether it is business-related or tourism, people are coming here to Mount Gambier,” Ms Fennel said.
“The main street is absolutely chock-a-block.
“We will see that buzz of activity in particular now in the lead-up to Christmas as I think everyone’s out and about.”
Ms Fennell said because Mount Gambier was a tourist town, the busy activity spread further than just the Main Street.
“I have never seen our holiday periods to be quiet, even in the middle of winter when we are all bunkered down and thinking that we need to be out of the weather, we seem to always have the vibrancy of people coming to Mount Gambier from away,” Ms Fennell said.
“It does not take much for us to drive past Umpherston Sinkhole and see 20-odd cars parked along the highway there visiting all our natural wonders as well.
“I think one of the key things that we always do in my own family is we still explore locally, so we often go and see things that we have not seen before.
“Or if we have got visitors in town we are dropping by the things we know are great and that we want to showcase to other people, so I think we will always see that sort of vibrancy and pull towards Mount Gambier.”
Ms Fennell encouraged people to look local first and support local businesses this holiday season.
