A TEMPORARY RV overflow campsite in the WA town of Port Hedland has
proved so successful that it will be kept open for an additional month
during this year's busy tourist season, it has been announced.
Grey nomads and other travellers injected around half a million dollars
into the local economy during the four months that it operated last year.
And overjoyed traders and the local council attributed the welcome
windfall to the campsite in McGregor Street.
Tourists can stay at the $10-a-night facility for a maximum of three
nights when alternative campsites in town are 50 percent full or if their
self-contained recreational vehicle is too large to fit in a vacant spot.
Travellers with pets can also use the overflow grounds.
"In the past we've missed the opportunity to capture these visitors and
encourage them to stay in town for a few days, to explore our environment
and spend their money at our local businesses," Mayor Camilo Blanco said.
"The town has received letters of support from local businesses stating
they had seen an increase in business activity between the months of May
to August."
Port Hedland stands on a popular tourist trail, with many grey nomads
refuelling, booking tours, having mechanical repairs carried out and even
visiting a doctor.
A visitors' survey at the RV overflow campsite had revealed:
* There was a total of 2197 paid nights and 1718 visitors (expected total
paid nights was 500).
* $167,382 was spent on local goods and services.
* Demand for goods and services when it was open rose by an $495,403.
* There was an average spend of $203 per person.
* Many indicated they were not intending to stay in town ... until they
heard of the low-cost camping.
Cr Blanco said the local Visitors Centre reported a 200 percent increase
in visitors to the centre in the first month of announcing the opening of
the RV overflow campsite.
Its Facebook page attracted over 13,000 views and 68 shares during the
first few days after posting news about the campsite.
"These are not statistics to ignore," Cr Blanco said.
"In fact, we should be paying strict attention to how popular Port Hedland
is as a tourist destination and encouraging public and private investment
into this industry.
"We discovered that one of the main reasons grey nomads didn't stay long
in town was due to the lack of space and lack of tourist information
available to them.
"Since the introduction of free Welcome Wi-fi in tourist hotspots by the
Pilbara Regional Council, and the launch of a Port Hedland page on
Wikicamps by the Port Hedland Visitors Centre, we've seen a rapid increase
in visitor numbers.
"For a long time, Port Hedland has been 'off-limits' to tourists because
of the extremely high accommodation prices and a lack of tourist-friendly
services and facilities on offer.
"Now that the mining and construction industry has slowed down, we’re
seeing a normalisation of prices and a growing interest in exploring other
industries and avenues for town development."
The council has committed to operating the RV overflow campsite for
another three years and increasing the opening period for one more month
(May to September) due to the demand for this service.
"We will also be applying for an RV Friendly status so we can officially
be recognised and listed as an RV Friendly town in all RV marketing and
promotions," Cr Blanco added.
