With some accommodation venues experiencing up to 70 per cent occupancy this school holidays, Ms Mackenzie said she was unsure as to why so many people were choosing to travel south from the warmer, northern states.
“During this winter school holiday period in the years prior to the pandemic, there was not a significant amount of visitors from warmer parts of the country,” Ms Mackenzie said.
“We’re not exactly sure as to why it’s increased this year, but it could be due to the impacts of flooding and rain in the northern parts of Australia.”
In terms of other school holiday trends, EMT have also noted an increase in retired holiday makers visiting the region — which was also not usually the case, pre-pandemic.
“Generally we would see families visiting during the holidays, whereas retirees would visit during the off-peak season, but this holidays we have noticed a combination of both types of visitors,” she said.
“Perhaps because people are eager to get away at any opportunity that they can now — as a result of not being able to during the pandemic.”
Ms Mackenzie said there had been a number of appealing activities that had assisted with the attraction of tourists to the area this holidays.
“We’ve had sensational school holiday activities such as the meet the animals event which was organised by Campaspe Shire, a collaboration between St Anne’s Winery and the Echuca Chocolate Company was held for Cocoa and Vino tasting sessions and of course the Echuca Farmers’ Market was on as well,” she said.
Ms Mackenzie said that she was expecting a further increase in visitation rates following the return of the Moama Lights Festival and the iconic 22nd edition of the Winter Blues Fest.
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