Q
A
GoRV: Can you describe the general
mood among holiday park operators?
SL: The general mood is one of realism,
frustration but optimism. There is no
doubt that the need for people not to
move around is sensible and in the
interest of bouncing back quickly. The
reasonings for lockdown are understood,
but this does not make it any easier for
holiday park operators and in particular
those businesses which were devastated
over summer with bushfires.
The realism of what is happening does
not make the frustration any lighter,
though, as holiday park operators wade
through inconsistent and ever-changing
instructions from government. This was
made even worse by what appears as a
lack of understanding of what a holiday
park is, and the diverse range of
accommodation options which can be
provided.
The ability to segregate guests, and to
house workers and genuine people in
need in self-contained cabins, has been
overlooked by many governments as
they pushed to the easy hotel option.
A very quiet Lake Argyle holiday park.
The defining of caravan parks and
camping grounds in both the outdoor
recreation and accommodation
categories on the prohibited-venue list
from the national cabinet has led to
some state governments imposing
uncompetitive obligations on caravan
parks, as opposed to hotels and other
accommodation sectors.
The above being said, the caravan and
holiday park sector will be the very first
to rebound in the leisure market as
international markets are turned off
and people look to escape from their
home ‘detention’.
2019 Tourism Research Australia figures
highlighted that the caravan and camping
sector was Australia’s favourite leisure
accommodation option for the year and it
is expected that the market will rebound
quickly and strongly when restrictions are
lifted, and holiday park operators are
buoyant as to what lies ahead.