Tourists have been rolling back into the Limestone Coast and numbers are looking full steam ahead for the holiday period.
Limestone Coast Local Government Association Acting Destination Development Manager Tamara North said Limestone Coast tourism had been very positive and tourist numbers were returning to pre-COVID levels.
“We are seeing a lot of internationals actually hit the region lately, we have had some groups from New Zealand, USA, I have had people say they have had some Europeans even head down in the last couple of months,” Ms North said.
“We are finally getting back to nearly normal.”
Ms North said international tourists returning to the Limestone Coast was exciting.
“Because that means we are heading back into the market, people are starting to hear about us all over again and they are excited to come to us,” she said.
“I cannot wait to see more of them heading this way.”
Ms North said many Victorian and New South Wales tourists continued to venture to the region.
“The Victorian market is the biggest one that is coming our way and New South Wales, but we are also seeing a lot more people from Adelaide than before COVID,” she said.
“A lot of people who visited us during the COVID period have actually re-booked down here apparently.”
Ms North said the Riverland still had some tourists travelling their way despite the flooding, however some were choosing to visit the Limestone Coast instead.
“We are seeing people who normally would go to the Riverland come towards us, I was talking to the Regional Tourism Managers from Riverland and Murray and Coorong and they are all still open at the moment,” she said.
“They are getting a little bit less numbers but they are still seeing some tourists that way as well, because they are actually still open for business and currently Lake Bonney is still open for water sports.”
Looking ahead, Ms North said the Christmas and New Year period were shaping up to be very positive.
“All the data we could find is looking like we are going to have a fantastic summer, all the pre-bookings and all that is looking like we should hit pre-COVID, if anything a bit better,” she said.
“We are hoping that stays on track and it goes that way.”
Ms North encouraged everyone, including locals, to check out new tours, businesses and experiences around the region over the Christmas and New Year period.
“We have been very lucky in the Limestone Coast with new experiences opening up during COVID periods and new businesses popping up,” she said.
“It looks like they are going to be a great success now as well as adding to some more value for tourists that are coming down here and even something new for locals to go see over the Christmas and New Year period.
“Support the locals who have been doing it hard over the last couple of years.”
