South-west accommodation providers say COVID surge not deterring holiday-makers

Warrnambool City Council chief executive officer Peter Schneider told The Standard a total of 121 refunds - equating to about five per cent of all bookings - had been requested across both its foreshore parks.

"Based on current information, we have 121 refund requests across both over the summer period, from a total of almost 2400 bookings," he said.

"Most of these were partial refunds for people who arrived at the park, and then chose to leave early.

"Anyone who would like to cancel a booking or leave the park early due to the current situation is fully entitled to do so and will receive a full refund for any cancelled nights."

It comes after the council issued a statement late Wednesday notifying residents of positive RAT tests being returned by campers.

At this stage, both parks are still taking new bookings.

While other accommodation providers also confirmed they were receiving some requests to cancel bookings, many said the vacancies were being filled just as fast.

Warrnambool's Best Western Olde Maritime Motor Inn owner Raj Patel said he "wasn't yet worried" about cancellations as plenty of people were still looking to travel.

"I had about six cancellations yesterday too," he said.

"They're out-of-towners who need to quarantine. But I'm still getting bookings - people want to travel, they don't want to be stuck inside because it's the only chance they have before school is back.

"People cancel and then an hour or so later it's booked out again."

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Langley's Port Fairy Accommodation Booking Service owner Jamie Langley said he'd observed a similar trend.

"We've had a few guests that have had to cancel before they get here but those properties have been readily booked out again by other travellers who are still keen to get away," he said.

"It's been minimal damage realistically. In the grand scheme of things, we've probably lost about three bookings out of 100 houses so it's not too bad."

He said one customer's cancelled booking for 10 days was booked within 15 minutes.

"A lady rang me on the 29th at 9am saying she thought her two kids had COVID and they were going to get a PCR test," he said.

"By quarter-past nine she rang me again confirming they couldn't come and she was due on the 30th. I told her it was OK and by 9.30 that property was booked for the 10 days she was supposed to be here."

Port Fairy Gum Tree Caravan Park co-owner Viv McCallum said campers were all doing the right thing by calling up as soon as they were notified of being close contacts.

"I've only had one cancellation because they were in Melbourne and they were a close contact for someone," she said.

"That was for a booking a week away."

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