With 30% of all trips in regional Australia involving caravan or camping, the Caravan Industry Association of Australia’s new ‘Keep on Camping’ initiative and website urges travellers to consider visiting a bushfire affected area on their next caravan and camping trip.
According to Tourism Research Australia, caravan parks in the South Coast of NSW and the Gippsland regions account for the largest market share of all commercial accommodation nights in the region, at 38% and 42%. When taking a caravan or camping trip to a regional area, travellers invest money directly in local attractions, they shop at local cafes and boutiques, they buy seafood and groceries, and stay in local holiday parks when they visit.
Through travelling to regional destinations, caravanners and campers are supporting communities, spending their money and helping those towns who need it most.
Keep on Camping helps travellers to make informed travel decisions so that when it is safe to travel again, they can get back in there to spend their money and help those communities reliant on tourism.
Caravan Industry Association of Australia CEO Stuart Lamont said local tourism would be the key for ensuring long term sustainability in regional tourism.
“The devastation that we have seen due to bushfires is heartbreaking, and our sincerest appreciation goes out to all communities and those volunteers on the ground who have been battling these conditions to save lives and property in the most trying of circumstances,” he said.
“Many of the affected areas should be in absolute peak season brimming with tourists, and yet whole regions remain closed with some caravan parks suggesting they may be weeks before re-opening.”
“Once these affected areas re-open, the need for tourist visitation will be vital to assisting these communities and businesses to start the long process of getting back on their feet.”
