Jessica Micallef
Travel agency Helloworld Ocean Grove is usually bustling with eager travellers booking that long-awaited getaway.
But the COVID-19 pandemic has put a pause to interstate and overseas travel.
Agency co-owner Nicole Bryan said the pandemic had “decimated” her business.
“We are a shop with no product,” she said.
“We cannot sell travel with the borders closed.
“Cruise ships were all starting to be affected in January so we were cancelling bookings before our borders were closed.
“We were already getting inundated with cancellations by February and then by March the borders all closed and it went pear-shaped.”
Ms Bryan said about 500 clients from her Ocean Grove business had cancelled their plans or received a credit to postpone their holiday to 2021.
But with customers not confident Australians would be travelling overseas any time soon many are now wanting a refund not a credit.
In a bid to stay afloat, the travel agency opened Just Landed in the Grove – a travelled-inspired gift shop, selling holiday-themed items including jewellery, handbags, photo prints and greeting cards, all bought from small, local businesses.
“We have to pay rent so we thought we could pivot the business,” Ms Bryan said.
“It gave us something positive to focus on … and to feel busy with.
“Where we can we are trying to support Australian-made. Most of the suppliers are so excited because retailers are struggling.”
Although strict stage 3 restrictions have forced Ms Bryan to shut the shop to customers, she has moved her business to an online platform.
She said her businesses, and countless others affected by the pandemic, is heavily relying on locals to stay afloat and be standing at the other end of the dark COVID-19 tunnel.
“There is a real movement for people to support local and shop local,” she said.
“We can’t rely on Melbourne tourists coming down on the weekend so we are solely reliant on locals now at least until the next stage.”
“We won’t survive this unless communities support us.”
www.justlandedinthegrove.com.au/
