Visitors take up SW break option

Capes small businesses were abuzz this week as tourism providers hailed the opening of some of WA’s intrastate borders.

Most caravan parks in the region were fully booked for the WA Day long weekend, with business exceeding that of last May, June and July.

Caves Caravan Park manager Jamie Brady said although the business had lost about 20 per cent of its yearly income due to border closures, he was confident the influx of tourists during the next few months would help compensate for the lost revenue.

“We’ve had 20 or so couples, mostly retirees, through the park already, which is really good for this time of year,” he said.

“This month of bookings will surpass May last year and I would think that will continue into the July school holidays.”

The RAC Busselton Holiday Park has reopened and RAC executive general manager of tourism Tony Pickworth said he was encouraging West Australians to support small businesses which relied on tourism. The City of Busselton this week opened its Busselton Jetty Tourist Park, and manager Wayne McGregor said many tourists had already arrived.

WA Tourism Minister Paul Papalia said SW tourism operators could expect to see a boom.