Aussie Chillout News – May 2020
Fire to New Regrowth – Isolation to Celebrating Holidays Again
The tourism industry in Australia has copped a beating in the last several months. This has been due to drought, dust, fire, rain, flood and now COVID-19. This addition of Aussie Chillout News looks at this impact on Australian tourism. It is not just accommodation but restaurants, cafes, fast food, retail shops, tourist attractions etc. Lots of local businesses are suffering or have gone under.
READ MORE about Aussie Chillout and how we have survived and now message of hope …
It has also been encouraging to see Australians being generous and supporting others during this time. But if you really want to support Australian Accommodation and Tourism have a holiday in Australia during 2020 and 2021 when restrictions are lifted. This will be different for each state. Our accommodation is in NSW, QLD and WA. Overseas travel will not happen in 2020. Though New Zealand and Australia may open up borders before Christmas which would be exciting if that happened. The world is watching our progress.
Drought – Aussie Chillout Newsletter:
Drought in 2019 halved our bookings in regional areas. In particular Manilla Cottage – Manilla NSW (near Tamworth). Dam levels, fish stock and tourism dramatically impacted. If it wasn’t for Tamworth Country Music Festival and some regular sheep shearers staying. The drought impacted on Manilla accommodation.
Fire – Aussie Chillout News:
One of our places in Talbingo NSW on north western side of Kosciusko National Park was surrounded by bush fire on the 4th January 2020. 2-3 houses burnt down but Pether Cottage NSW was OK. We had to refund a booking and another gave a rain check. The major problem is that Mount Selwyn Snow Field burnt down and will not be operating this winter. So along with fire, COVID-19 and no Mount Selwyn Snowfield this will impact on bookings for Pether Cottage – Talbingo NSW in 2020. We have a new cleaner: Christine who is making the cottage spick and span during May 2020. We are making an effort to get the Aussie Chillout Newsletter more regularly.
Flood – Aussie Chillout Newsletter:
Growder Court 3 – Coolum Beach QLD suffered a torrential downpour and ground floor got flooded on 12 February 2020. We had guests watching TV and the water flowed in below their feet. We had no loss of furniture. For 2 weeks we closed Growder Court 3. while the insurance company treated the wall for dampness and carpet was replaced with vinyl slabs. Looks great!
COVID-19 – Aussie Chillout News:
Personally we had a bumper Christmas overall. But March, April and May 2020 have been very lean with bookings and we have to drop our tariff dramatically just to attract future bookings for essential travel. We requested to stop mortgage repayments but able to pay all other bills. We paid back $5,000 plus of refunds and $5,000+ in credit vouchers for future stays. Majority of guests have been very understanding. Despite setbacks we will survive and look forward to holiday restrictions lifting.
Essential Stays:
Another option is discounted SOCIAL DISTANCE STAYS of 1-2 weeks or more based on essential travel only. Distance yourself from work, family and friends. Wi-Fi, Netflix, Stan and YouTube and communicate with others through social media. This is how we have survived this period from March to 30 June 2020.
- 1 Week to 13 days – $525 per week for up to 4 guests
- 2 Weeks or More – $455 per week for up to 4 guests
Extra adults = $12.50 per night. Extra kids = $8.00 per night
Offer expires 11 June 2020.
Essential Travel Requirements:
Short Stay Holiday Accommodation is not illegal but must have ESSENTIAL TRAVEL REASON TO STAY:
The Australian Government: Department of Health was a daily point of reference to get current information on travel restrictions. This site was essential for our Aussie Chillout News.
►medical or health care needs for hospitals and seeing specialists, including compassionate requirements, funerals etc. Family members supporting other family members with medical or health care needs.
►work and study away from home if you can’t work or learn remotely
►guests required to self-isolate for 14 days
►overseas or domestic guests unable to travel back home due to travel restrictions and no flights
►between homes and relocating within state due to insurance, building homes, travel agents with displaced guests and people in shared houses that want to self-isolate
►high risk health care professionals such as doctors, nurses and ambulance officers etc. who want to safely physical and social distance from their own families
►working extended shifts and require accommodation near their workplaces
Essential Workers
So we have had nurses working in gaols, professionals working on website and restructuring business and FIFO workers. Also 14 days self-isolation before commencing NSW Government job planting trees and medical & health care needs. As well as compassionate reasons, no place to stay while house was being renovated, workers cement rendering an aged care facility etc. This has all helped. We also had non-essential travellers not respecting us as well due to discounted rates. Plus nosey neighbours contacting police as they wanted no visitors even when they were essential stays.
We cannot wait until restrictions are lifted, cabin fever is over, and we can all travel locally again firstly in our own region, then state and then interstate and maybe New Zealand before the end of 2020. Our next Aussie Chillout News will have update on travel restrictions.
Thank you for your support in the past, present and future. AUSSIE CHILLOUT is HOPEFUL!
AUSSIES supporting AUSSIES to CHILLOUT LIKE A LOCAL in Australia Accommodation.
Book Your Next Short Stay Holiday Rental at Aussie Chillout:
Aussie Chillout has 7 properties located around Australia. Check them out HERE!
Email David and Hilary at [email protected] or call mobile: +61 414 826 439
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