Tourists flock to coast despite bad weather, finances

Alex de Vos and Jessica Benton
Bad weather and economic turmoil have failed to stop tourists flocking to the region’s coastal resorts this summer, according to tourism operators.
Businesses on the Surf Coast and Bellarine Peninsula reported a “steady flow” of trade despite below-average summer temperatures and the financial crisis ravaging private investments.
Torquay Commerce and Tourism Association president Martin Duke said “a lot of people” were about town.
“All the businesses have been doing a good trade – the restaurants and car parks are full,” he said.
“I haven’t noticed an increase in trade but the town has definitely got a good feel to it.”
On the peninsula, Barwon Coast Committee of Management’s Bob Jordan said public camping grounds and caravan sites were fully booked until the Australia Day long weekend.
Most campers were from Melbourne and the Victorian Central region, he said.
Geelong Otway Tourism chief executive officer Roger Grant believed the cool weather might have played to the region’s advantage.
“We’re finding that people are making bookings last minute based on the weather and are choosing multiple short breaks rather than longer breaks. That’s the way of the future for tourism, I think,” Mr Grant said.
“More Australians are staying at home and choosing closer destinations that are easily accessible.”
A busy sport calendar featuring events such as the Bay Classic cycling series and open-ocean swims was also helping attract tourists this summer, Mr Grant said.
However, Surf Coast Community and Ratepayers Association president Spencer Leighton believed the bad weather also had a silver lining in term of anti-social behaviour in coastal areas during the festive season.
Torquay was “pretty quiet” during Christmas and New Year, he said.
“I think it’s because of the weather. On those hot nights you get all those hooligans shouting and doing damage but there didn’t appear to be any of that this year.
“There certainly wasn’t the huge number of people walking around the street.”