WITH Covid-19 restrictions on international travel continuing well into 2021, NSW residents have been opting to holiday closer to home.

According to Wotif.com data, NSW’s Mid North Coast was a highly trending destination for large parts of 2020, particularly for school holiday travel, with travel interest for Port Macquarie up over 220% and interest for Coffs Harbour up close to 180%*.

In the four months following the recommencement of NSW leisure travel in May 2020, intrastate travel interest for NSW destinations spiked by close to 160% on Wotif.com.

In response, some local businesses have pivoted their operations to adjust to fast-changing tourism trends.

The Nambucca Heads Bowling Club began offering free motorhome parking in November last year, following the easing of COVID restrictions.

A Development Application (DA) was approved for motorhome parking at the site eighteen months ago.

It was put on public display, and approximately 180 submissions were received.

Mr Phil Coultan, CEO of the Club, advised News Of The Area that of those, 98% were in support of the development.

Mr Coultan said the provision of free motorhome/caravan parking at the site had a variety of benefits for the local area.

“There are benefits for the entire community,” he said.

“Not only will visitors spend money at the Bowling Club, they will also spend money in the community.

“Visitors will ask staff where to go in the area and the staff are very good at informing them of the different places in the Valley to visit.”

There are only six sites available, and they are in high demand.

Tony Stokes, Chairman of the Board described the free parking area as a “community service” and said the free sites help attract visitors to Nambucca, rather than other major centres.

“We are here to support our community.

“They do not come to town unless there is free camping and a dump point.”

On WikiCamps Australia, which lists different caravan parking sites around the country, all the reviews of the Nambucca Heads Bowling Club site were positive.

*Based on accommodation interest on Wotif.com from 1 July 2020 – 31 July 2020 compared to 1 August 2020 – 31 August 2020 for travel over New South Wales September school holidays dates.

 

By Rachel MCGREGOR-ALLEN