Australian Regional Tourism (ART) says it welcomes the news and action from State and Territory Governments across the country to include increased regional travel, and is urging everyone to be kind to one another as the country takes its first steps in the ‘recovery journey’.
ART points out that many regional businesses have been closed and others have been trading very differently to how they are used to for a couple of months now. Staff have been out of work and the supply chain is frantic trying to keep up with the demand at such short notice. While some businesses have been ready to open there doors, others have been taken by surprise with the rapidity of changing rules. The ART says this is particularly the case for those in Queensland, who were otherwise preparing for a 12 June deadline and have been caught out as the easing of restrictions were fast-tracked to commence almost two weeks earlier than expected (1 June 2020).
“All of the cafes are wanting their orders for coffee filled, and accommodation providers need their linen freshly laundered, and the coffee roasters and laundry service companies will be under enormous pressure to keep up with all of their orders”, said ART Deputy Chair, Donna Foster.
“Frontline staff will really appreciate your patience, they are ‘people’ people and they’ve missed your cheerful smile as you walk through the door.
“Aussies love to support Aussies and we do encourage everyone to get out and support regional areas, we just ask you be a little compassionate and perhaps more generous than usual as our businesses get back on their feet after perhaps the most challenging time of their lives.”
