MILDURA is ideally placed to capitalise on the nomadic recreational vehicle tourism market post COVID-19, according to economic development and tourism councillor Mark Eckel.
Cr Eckel is this week expected to push for the council to establish a strategy to encourage and maximise the municipality’s attraction in the drive tourism market that he says is going untapped.
In a notice of motion to be put to Wednesday’s monthly meeting of councillors, Cr Eckel said Mildura and surrounds was not qualified as an RV-friendly area and was not seen as an RV destination.
However, he said Mildura should be on the RV destination list as the region was ideally placed to benefit from that status.
“The process needs to reflect council’s Economic Development and Tourism Statement of the significant complementary opportunity for attracting an RV market to Mildura, particularly in the current climate of COVID-19,” Cr Eckel said.
“Mildura Rural City Council has an opportunity to increase tourist numbers in a market that at the moment remains untapped.
“The issue of competitive neutrality should not apply to the RV market as the RV sector generally travel to RV-friendly areas that cater for their travel mode.”
Cr Eckel said anecdotal evidence from local suppliers was that caravan and RV sales had been significant with significantly long delivery times based on back orders and local RV construction times booked out for almost six months.
He said the cancellation of overseas trips, which were unlikely to be restored for at least two years, and cruises meant travellers were now using the opportunity to travel and spend within Australia.
Cr Eckel said comments by the Campervan and Motorhome Club of Australia chief executive indicated the camping industry was the fastest-growing domestic tourism sector in Australia, generating $7 billion worth of expenditure in the year ended May 2014.
Councillors are expected to vote on a motion that the council develop a strategy with recommendations and actions to encourage and maximise the RV market in the region.
