Businesses in the picturesque coastal town of Carnarvon, Western Australia, are facing tough times as tourists increasingly bypass the area. Once a bustling stop-off point for travelers heading north to escape winter, Carnarvon is now grappling with dwindling visitor numbers and diminishing tourism revenue.
Jo Bumbak, a long-time resident and business owner deeply rooted in the local farming and tourism scene, expressed her concerns about the challenging situation. She shared,
“There’s businesses I’ve spoken to that said they don’t even know if they’re going to reopen their doors. I’m one of those businesses.”
Jo’s sentiment reflects the somber reality faced by many entrepreneurs in Carnarvon.
The decline in tourism can be attributed to various factors, including strict liquor restrictions imposed on the town and a lack of compelling tourist experiences coupled with ineffective marketing efforts. Many tourists are opting to stock up on supplies elsewhere and skip Carnarvon altogether during their travels.
With this downturn in tourism, small businesses that rely heavily on visitor spending are feeling the pinch. Jo Bumbak highlighted how caravanners’ shortened stays have impacted her business selling locally sourced preserves and treats. She noted,
“The length of stay for most caravanners visiting the region had declined,”
indicating a shift in travel patterns that is affecting local establishments like hers.
Michelle Pinna, who manages the Norwesta Caravan Park, echoed these sentiments by emphasizing that Carnarvon often serves as a mere stopover rather than a destination in itself. She lamented,
“Carnarvon never seems to be a destination point… It’s always a stopover on the way to Exmouth, on the way to Coral Bay.”
Moreover, concerns about crime rates tarnishing Carnarvon’s reputation further compound its struggles as a tourist hub. While acknowledging that crime issues exist across various towns, locals feel that Carnarvon unfairly bears negative perceptions. Michelle Pinna emphasized this point by stating how Carnarvon receives an unjust “bad rap” despite its inherent beauty and charm.
In response to these challenges, Amanda Dexter, Chief Executive of the Shire of Carnarvon acknowledged the impact of external factors like COVID-19 restrictions and liquor regulations on tourism within the town. Despite proactive efforts by local authorities to enhance main street appeal through workshops and promotional activities supporting businesses, certain hindrances remain beyond their control.
Amanda Dexter candidly expressed frustration over limitations faced by local governance in addressing critical issues such as crime rates exacerbated by liquor restrictions.“We lobby… but many of these things are not in our hands,” she remarked regarding their scope for direct intervention on such matters.
Looking ahead with cautious optimism amidst these trials is essential for revitalizing Carnarvon’s once-thriving tourism sector. The upcoming WA Tourism Conference scheduled for May aims to bring together key stakeholders from industry sectors along with governmental representatives and scholars to explore avenues for rejuvenating community spirit and attracting more visitors to experience all that Carnavon has to offer.
As residents grapple with uncertain futures amid economic uncertainties driven by shifting tourism dynamics in this tranquil coastal town nestled between Geraldton and Karratha,
it remains imperative for collective efforts from both public officials and private enterprises alike
to navigate through these challenges collectively towards sustainable solutions bolstering
Carnavon’s position as a noteworthy tourist destination once again.
Leave feedback about this