Q
GoRV: Are holiday park operators within
their rights to deny access to full-time
travellers? We’ve heard of some parks
that have deemed certain travellers a
COVID 19 risk and either kicked them off
their premises or refused them entry.
Does the national body have a position
on this situation?
A
SL: Holiday park operators remain free to
accept guests as they see fit, and must
act in the best interests of their staff and
fellow guests. Each park must assess
their ability to manage their guests and
associated risks.
I have heard of parks not accepting
guests because they do not believe they
are essential travellers and therefore
would be breaching the law, for which
there are substantial fines for operators
and staff, as well as many parks asking
for details pre-visit to determine whether
they fall within their ‘prohibited venue’
boundaries for operating.
Q
GoRV: Can you estimate the economic
impact of this lockdown situation on the
holiday park industry?
A
SL: We believe over $100 million has
already been lost with more to
come. The loss of school holidays and
Easter was a significant blow, with the
‘grey nomad’ season ahead of us almost
certainly also lost.
Q
GoRV: Finally, what is your key message
to park operators and the travelling
public?
A
SL: Our simple message is to heed public
health warnings. As tempting as it is to
move around and enjoy the freedoms
and travel we are so used to, now is not
the time to be doing this.
Be patient and be heartened that the crisis will pass and as an industry we will bounce
back better than before. The current sacrifices we make today will accelerate our
return to what will be a new normal.