THE Tamworth region is bracing for a influx of travellers for the June long weekend thanks to the relaxing of restrictions surrounding regional travel.
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Tamworth Business Chamber president Jye Segoboer said accommodation hotspots across the region were bracing for an influx of guests.
"In terms of the leisure market, there has been a slight uptake in bookings for the June long weekend, but with the corporate market we are sort of seeing that towards the later part of the June," Mr Segboer said.
"We expect corporates will return to the office first of all and start to travel again in the later part of June and early July."
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The state government lifted the coronavirus-enforced ban on regional travel last week and holiday makers have jumped at the chance to hit the road.
Oxley Police Superintendent Kylie Endemi said police would be out in full force throughout the long weekend.
"We are certainly ready and are anticipating an increased level of activity, so we will have a presence that is appropriate for what we anticipate," Superintendent Endemi said.
"Our message is that we will have a strong presence on our highways and our main arterial roads.
"However, we do the same on our back roads as well, so there will be police out there and there will be a strong police presence."
Mr Segoboer said he expected Tamworth's accommodation industry to improve as the year went on.
"Tamworth and our region in general is very event-driven in terms of tourism and so we do tend to rely quite heavily on events to fill our accommodation venues, restaurants and cafes," he said.
"We are seeing a return of events back into the calendar from about October onward."
The easing of restrictions surrounding regional travel has prompted Tamworth Regional Council to reopen its camping facilities, libraries and tourist destinations such as the Information Centre and the National Guitar Museum.
Tamworth MP Kevin Anderson said regional travel was key to helping kick-start the state's economy.
"For those inland looking to hook up the boat and head over to the coast and go fishing, they can certainly do that," Mr Anderson said.
"But, all of our dams will be open and camping grounds as well.
"Allowing travel, while still abiding by the social-distancing guidelines, is so important to helping businesses get through to the other side of this pandemic."
Billy Jupp
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
Billy is a Senior Livestock Journalist for the Queensland Country Life based in Toowoomba. He has worked for a variety of different ACM mastheads during the past five years including the Namoi Valley Independent, Northern Daily Leader and The Land.
