TWO Warrnambool business operators have warned that a new wave of tourism opportunity could be lost unless the city council and traders show more initiative in welcoming free campers.
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Their call comes in response to concerns about the ripple effect of criticism by vanpackers and grey nomads about negative attitudes in communities like Warrnambool.
The Standard’s story on Monday featuring Warrnambool tourism services manager Peter Abbott’s fears about travellers bypassing the city stirred reaction.
Surf shop owner Raelene Ponting suggested the Shipwreck Bay caravan park managed by the city council be used for international and budget tourists rather than being closed for most of the year.
“Council needs to welcome these people into our town, not make it difficult for them,” she told The Standard.
“A lot of them are young and while they don’t spend money on parking fees, they will spend it on drink and food and clothes etc — all that stays in town.”
Ms Ponting said she was dismayed on the Easter weekend to see so many food shops closed and noticed one couple sitting on a footpath eating their breakfast in front of a closed café.
Warrnambool Beach Back-packers operator Geoff Morris said the city should take a lead on the issue and trial an area designated for budget travellers with parking and toilets.
He also said more signs should be erected to discourage free camping at unauthorised places.
“Warrnambool would get huge exposure around the country if we could get it right,” he said.
“These people will spend money if they feel welcome.
“Warrnambool City Council has swept it under the carpet and hoped it would go away.
“Most of the accommodation industry don’t want them because they only chase the bigger money, but I think lots of other business owners should welcome them — supermarkets, takeaway food outlets, fuel, retail shops to name a few.
“Warrnambool is at risk of being wiped off the map for this very big new wave of tourists and that means a big smack on the economy.”
Ms Ponting, who operates The Surf Co outlet, said more shops needed to open seven days a week if Warrnambool was to reach its potential as a tourism destination.
“A lot of young campers do admit to sleeping in their car, but they are great people with great stories — their money is welcome in my shop,” she said.
One reader of The Standard responding to Monday’s story highlighted Ballarat’s strategy in allowing self-contained free camping at Wendouree for a maximum two days.
However, some took a dim view of free campers staying in unauthorised locations.
According to “Julie”, backpackers were messy and spent nothing in town, whereas grey nomads supported local tourism enterprises, stayed in caravan parks and didn’t leave a mess.
“Fed up local” said “I’m sick of seeing overseas backpackers using bushes for toilets and dumping rubbish around our town. Why should we pay for their free holiday and incur a huge rate increase — they arrive in the dark, leave early and spend nothing to support tourism or local businesses. They buy cheap foods and would never eat a meal in our local restaurants”.