AN EERY quiet and lit vacancy signs will be an unusual experience at hotels and campgrounds across the city with news Tamworth Country Music Festival is suspended.
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A crisis meeting has been called next Wednesday for local accommodation providers that have limped along through drought, coronavirus and now the reality of a peak period completely devoid of tourists.
At the Almond Inn Motel, guests book a year in advance and there's a full house for 10 days straight come TCMF. It's been like that for at least the last 15 years.
The situation still holds a lot of unknowns, Almond Inn Motel owner Richard Manning said.
"During January the people that want to come for the festival book and the ones that don't travel through Tamworth," he said.
"Some of our regulars have said they will be coming regardless because they want to and it's something they do every year.
"They believe there will be some music somewhere, but I can't guarantee that."
The ultimate decision to cancel the festival will be made by Tamworth Regional Council councillors on Tuesday night, based on the advice from health officials.
It's expected to deal the economy a $50 million blow, with the tourism and hospitality industry hit the hardest.
Campgrounds, hotels and motels can book out a year in advance of the festival, with residents even renting out bedrooms or backyards to country music fans.
Austin Top Tourist Caravan Parks manager Alison Edwards said she is reassessing everything for 2021, but everyone is in the same boat.
"The focus is on getting our customers to understand it has been suspended and to get them sorted, we have people book a year in advance and they want to swap to 2022," she said.
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"I'm not sure exactly what the figures are but it will be a hit, that much we do know and we will have to decide what we are going to do."
The caravan park hosts up to 450 people each January for the festival.
Ms Edwards said she understood why Tamworth Regional Council made the decision, given the possible impact COVID-19 would have on the city.
"It's not a decision I think anybody wants to make and they have had to make it," she said.
"I believe it's out of council's hands and it's been foisted upon them, it's been foisted on all of us."
Madeline Link
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
Madeline Link is a journalist at the Newcastle Herald, with a focus on Lake Macquarie City Council. To keep up with my stories, follow my Twitter @madeline_link, for tips email madeline.link@newcastleherald.com.au.
