Tourism sector thriving

Ingenia reports holiday parks experiencing strong demand

INGENIA, which operates a chain of lifestyle and holiday parks, reports a 13 percent increase in income from its tourism sector. The NSW-based group attributes the good news to its acquisition of new holiday parks and the installation of 33 new tourism cabins. Half-year results for the six months ending December 31 show that Ingenia Holidays now comprises 34 holiday communities offering holiday accommodation, annual sites and permanent homes. "Pleasingly, Ingenia's holidays business is experiencing strong demand and forward bookings are up materially on the prior year," chief executive Simon Owen (pictured) said.

'Too many uncertainties'

Perth caravan and camping event falls victim to COVID

Flashback: a previous show

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THE five-day Perth Caravan & Camping Show scheduled to open on March 23 has been cancelled.

The Caravan Industry Association of Western Australia said it had made the very difficult decision not to proceed with the event "with great sadness".

"We have carefully and thoroughly evaluated the multitude of challenges and ongoing uncertainty as a result of COVID-19, and our team has been working tirelessly and trying their absolute hardest to find suitable solutions to proceed with the delivery of this event," it said..

"With the WA Department of Health's anticipated community transmission rates at the time of our event, there are just too many uncertainties and increased risks for us to confidently and safely proceed with a large-scale event at this time.

"We acknowledge that the decision to not proceed with such an important and much-loved tourism event in Western Australia is disappointing and has far-reaching implications for our community.

"However, first and foremost, we are committed to the health and safety of everyone, including event attendees, exhibitors, suppliers, staff, volunteers and the many critical stakeholders who contribute to the delivery of this industry event each year."

The association said all tickets bought for the show would be automatically refunded via Oztix.

Pups in need of holiday

Reflections throw down welcome mat for canine companions

THE Reflections Holiday Park group has thrown down the welcome mat for pets at 29 dog-friendly caravan parks. Operations manager Cameron Tynan believes now is the perfect time for them to enjoy a change of scenery after so many have had restricted movements due to COVID. "If you tailor your music playlist for the road trip I'm sure Elvis Presley’s Hound Dog would get everyone, pups included, in the mood for a holiday," he said. His group is sending a shout out to the thousands of people who pampered their pooches with a Reflections holiday last year and says pups are in need of some time out too.

'Most disappointing'

Put RV ratings on trailer plates, says boss of Caravan Council

THE Caravan Council of Australia has warned that there is still a major caravan industry problem ... with vehicle ratings and masses frequently being grossly misunderstood or simply ignored. "It is extremely strange – and most disappointing ‒ that the GTM rating, Empty Ball-loading and Tare Mass are not legally required to be stated on the trailer plate," general manager Colin Young says. "Vehicle Safety Standards must ‒ with the highest priority ‒ provide and distribute a bulletin or an administrator's circular to all relevant authorities, industry bodies, manufacturers and suppliers to clearly explain the various ratings and masses." It was of great concern that so many people continued to believe, and use, the "hideously-incorrect old husband tale or equation," he added. 

   Appeal for financial help

Nomads take to GoFundMe after uninsured caravan crash

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A GREY nomad couple in their 50s has appealed for financial help after an accident in New South Wales left them homeless. "We all lived in the caravan so have lost everything," Deborah Hawkins writes on crowd-funding website GoFundMe. "Centerlink have been no help at all. We couldn't even get a crisis payment ... we couldn't be in more of a crisis. We need money to set up our lives again and start from the beginning. Car was insured but caravan wasn't as I thought what could happen. What a mistake." Disaster struck when their near-new Ford Ranger ute and uninsured Road Tamer caravan careered off the Bruxner Highway at Uralba in the Northern Rivers. 

   Ocean front site

Owners 'lucky' to have owned
30ha park which is up for sale

THE 328-site, 30 hectare Collendina Caravan Park on Victoria's famous Surf Coast is on the market. Situated just 1.5 hours from Melbourne and 30 minutes from Geelong, the park occupies an incredible 30-hectare freehold ocean front site. It offers two swimming pools, two tennis courts, full size football oval, basketball court, nine-hole golf course, indoor play centre and café plus a "private" beach track from the park over the sand dunes. Owners of the park for almost 40 years, Bill and Joan Steains said they felt lucky to have had the opportunity to develop Collendina into one of the most popular family caravan parks on the coast.

   'Perfect place for seasoned Cara-fans'

Gold Coast’s biggest RV
expo set to open doors

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THE Let’s Go Gold Coast Caravan & Outdoor Expo will feature more than 100 exhibitors when it returns to Metricon Stadium. Billed as the Gold Coast's largest caravanning show, the three-day event will throw open its doors on March 4. On display will be the latest products ranging from caravans, camper trailers, motorhomes, tent trailers, campervans, tow vehicles and accessories. Queensland is said to be leading the charge nationally in the RV world, with the highest number of registered RVs across the country (192,751), followed by Victoria (179,163) and New South Wales (174,817). Caravan Trade & Industries Association of Queensland chief executive Jason Plant said the expo was the perfect place for new and seasoned 'Cara-fans' to plan their next big road trip or get a head start on their Easter holiday getaway.

  'Exciting time for town'

Kilcunda caravan park 'best value for money' lease renewed

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HOLIDAY Retreats Rivergum will steer a $2m major upgrade at Victoria's Kilcunda Oceanview Holiday Retreat after winning a further 20-year lease. Bass Coast Shire Council awarded the lease after considering a report outlining camping needs within the Bass Coast area. "Consideration of the need, preferred locations and costs of public dump points will form part of a strategic review and be included in the report scheduled to be presented in June 2022," the report said. A panel had concluded that the submission by Holiday Retreats Rivergum would provide the authority "with best value for money". The caravan park ‒ which offers stunning views of Bass Strait and coastline ‒ will pay an annual rent of $152,000, rising by three percent annually. Local Councillor Rochelle Halstead said it was an exciting time for the town. "There's so many projects planned and really close to commencement," she said. "It's pleasing to see the plans for an upgrade of the site are sensitive to the environment, inclusive of culture, and offer some of the best views in the state of Victoria."

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