Hot trade for winter

Alex de Vos
Torquay traders have reported a busy winter despite domestic belt-tightening as rising living costs bite into household budgets.
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association’s David Muir said he had noticed an increase of visitors to Torquay over the past two weeks of winter school holidays.
“It’s definitely a lot busier than last year,” Mr Muir said.
He attributed the rise in visitors to an increase in accommodation and shopping facilities.
“There’s plenty of good reasons to visit Torquay in winter.”
Peppers The Sands’ general manager Dean Newell also reported an increase in visitors to his employers’ hotel.
“Lunch trade from people making day trips has picked up on the weekends and there’s people around,” he said.
“There’s been some good surfing over the past couple of weeks, which has also made a difference.”
Traders nearby on the Bellarine Peninsula also reported more business than usual for winter holidays.
Barwon Heads APCO service station operator Gary Martin said more people had arrived this year than last winter.
“Our fuel volumes are up compared to last year, which is surprising with the price of fuel,” he said.
“It’s a good indication people are still flocking down to the coast, especially at weekends.”
The reports of strong winter trading follows a prediction in the Independent last month of a spike in tourism business despite a generally gloomy economic outlook around the country.
Geelong Otway Tourism executive director Roger Grant had said the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula could be unlikely beneficiaries of rising petrol and food prices on top of 10-year-high interest rates. He expected the high living costs could force budget-conscious Melbourne residents to change holiday plans to closer destinations.
However, other tourism-based operators in the region are feeling the pinch as travellers tighten their belts.
A Jetstar spokesperon told the Independent his budget airline was holding back on expansion plans at Avalon Airport as rising jet fuel prices turned away potential passengers.