There’s nothing we love better than a country road trip. We get out there as often as we can and we make a point of spending our time and our money in lovely country towns as we go.
But lately, as the drought grinds on across NSW and Queensland, we’ve been a bit worried about whether our visits and our promotion of tourism to rural NSW is a help or a hindrance.
Major regional centres like Tamworth, Dubbo and Bathurst are at risk at running out of water within 12 months without signficant rain, while smaller towns like Murrurundi, Guyra and Menindee are currently having emergency water trucked in. There’s many others besides.
We asked ourselves this: Do they really need visitors turning up to add further strain to water supply and other resources?
So, we went straight to the top to ask NSW Tourism Minister Stuart Ayers his tips for touring during the current drought. Here’s what he reckons:
Drought travel tips
1. Use water respectfully
2. Understand that some services might be affected by drought
3. Call the nearest visitor centre to your destination for the latest information
4. Consider alternative accommodation such as farmstays and local hosts
5. Attend a local event or festival
6. Eat out in local cafes, bars and restuarants
7. Buy locally made goods
Ask a local
“We’re incredibly proud that regional NSW receives almost two thirds of all visitors to NSW, and we know that tourism is a champion industry for many of our regional centres,” Mr Ayers said.
“Tourism delivers incredible return for our regions – tourism means real jobs and security for those pubs, hotels, tour providers and businesses that keep our towns on track. The industry directly employs 90,400 people in regional NSW,” he said.
“There’s no denying that the impact of this drought is being felt by businesses and residents right across regional NSW, and the effect is devastating.
“That’s why now, more than ever, is the perfect time for visitors to extend their stay in NSW to explore and enjoy the unique beauty of our diverse regions.
“Travellers who are visiting regional NSW should consider their stay and how they can give back to local communities during their holiday.
“Get to know the community and meet the locals who are also the best, authentic tour guides. Want to know about the hidden gems of an area, or where to sample local produce? Ask a local.”
Tourism matters
More than 67.5 million international and domestic visitors spent time in regional NSW in the year ending March 2019, and the total visitor expenditure generated by visits to regional NSW was $18.3 billion.
Regional NSW accounted for 64 per cent of all visitors to NSW, 46 per cent of all nights and 45 per cent of all expenditure in the State.
These figures refer to international and domestic visitors who have been to regional NSW in the year ending March 2019 – either staying in region for one night or more, or visiting as a daytrip.
The upshot of it all is don’t stop travelling, just be thoughtful when you do. Regional areas even in the drought have a certain beauty which cannot be ignored. The money you spend can make a real difference to people. Our wide brown land is just a bit browner than we’d like it to be at the moment. Travel safely. Travel often.
