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REGION MAKES IT ON TO BIG MUST-VISIT LIST
EXPERIENCES across the region are among 18 in Victoria to make the list of the top 100 hidden regional destinations across Australia and New Zealand.
Apollo Bay, Barwon Heads and Greater Geelong are among the Victorian gems to join those as diverse as Crocosaurus Cove in the Top End, and the Underground Opera in Rockhampton, Queensland.
The list has been unveiled by Choice Hotels Asia-Pac and come as domestic markets gear for an influx of travellers starved of international destinations due to the coronavirus pandemic.
The aim of the first 100 Untold Stories list is to reveal the hidden gems, fascinating stories and people, and mustsee experiences locals know about, but are unknown to people outside those areas.
Themes include food and wine, nature, sport, art and culture — and Victoria boasts plenty of all these.
It has 18 destinations, with a spotlight shone on areas including the City of Greater Geelong, dubbed an “emerging epicentre of culture”; picturesque Apollo Bay; and, “charming holiday town” Barwon Heads.
“No doubt, 2020 has been a tough year for our communities. As we begin to emerge from the devastating impact of recent bushfires and the COVID-19 pandemic, regional tourism is more important than ever in helping these areas get back on their feet and thrive again, safely, and securely,” said Trent Fraser, Choice Hotels Asia-Pac chief executive.
“With international travel on the backburner, there is no better time to con consider taking a short break to explore our own backyard and ultimately feed tourism back into regional areas again.
“Instead of that big international trip, why not take 3-4 short breaks and explore our beautiful country?”
Despite research showing Australians feel revitalised and happier after a short break, they only take an average of two short breaks a year — and one quarter do not get any at all, with a third pointing to work-related concerns as the main factor why they do not get away.
And there should be no shortage of leave days. At the end of 2019, Australians had accrued 146 million days of annual leave that needed to be used.
Choice Hotels has noticed cancellations have tapered significantly since the announcement of restrictions easing, with new bookings outpacing cancellations. In May, reservations increased by 58 per cent, with revenue up by 142 per cent.
“We want people to feel optimistic, excited and safe about the upcom ing reopening of f domestic travel and give them the opportunity to book with confidence and have something to look forward to,” Mr Fraser said.
“It’s our intention that 100 Untold Stories list will become a great source of inspiration for travel at home.”
AS WE BEGIN TO EMERGE FROM THE DEVASTATING IMPACT OF RECENT BUSHFIRES AND THE COVID-19 PANDEMIC, REGIONAL TOURISM IS MORE IMPORTANT THAN EVER IN HELPING THESE AREAS GET BACK ON THEIR FEET AND THRIVE AGAIN, SAFELY, AND SECURELY.”
CHOICE HOTELS ASIA-PAC CEO TRENT FRASER