COMPENSATION for tourism accommodation operators who have suffered cancellations due to the lockdown of metropolitan COVID hotspots has been welcomed.
A $5 million fund for regional businesses such as motels, caravan parks and holiday home operators from the state government will help cover lost revenue as a result of cancelled bookings.
The mayor Cr Sam Hearn said: “I want to thank the Minister for Industry Support and Recovery Martin Pakula for ensuring Mornington Peninsula tourism businesses are included in the regional accommodation support fund.
“We know our tourism businesses are struggling at the moment and we appreciate all the support they can get.”
Cr Hearn said the negative economic impacts of COVID-19 were forecast to be greater for the peninsula than for Australia overall, with a predicted 21 per cent fall in gross regional product.
“This is much worse than the 6.9 per cent drop forecast for Australia as a whole,” he said.
“There has already been an 11 per cent drop in employment opportunities in the region, which foreshadows a bleak outlook. I look forward to continuing to work with the state government to support our community recovery efforts.”
First published in the Southern Peninsula News – 21 July 2020
