Exclusive resorts see surge of interest from cashed up Aussies
Australia’s resort island and boutique hotel owners are looking at a boom in Australians booking while unable to travel overseas.
With international travel expected to be off the agenda until next year, wealthy Aussies are instead eyeing exclusive national destinations that have been popular with overseas visitors for years.
Orpheus Island is fully booked despite not even having reopened.
“We are planning to open on July 10, when the Queensland government lifts the travel restrictions, but we are already totally booked out on Orpheus,” owner Chris Morris told The Australian.
Morris also owns Daintree Eco Lodge and the award-winning Mount Mulligan.
“We are getting inquiries from some very high-profile people,” Morris said. “We have the perfect isolation spots. I think (post-COVID-19) will be extremely good for us because those guests will talk to others and realise you don’t have to go overseas.”
Hamilton Island is also seeing “lots of booking inquiries” for stays between September and Christmas, according to owner Sandy Oatley.
Oatley said the qualia resort and the Beach Club on Hamilton Island were ready to open it within a week of flights returning.
“Once the airlines can fly in we will need a week, (but) we will be ready,” he said.
Spicers Retreats, which have nine properties across NSW and Queensland, is also set to target locals looking for something special.
“I know our ‘quality of experience’ is equal to overseas destinations as I’m told this by many overseas guests,” said owner Jude Turner. “And there’s so much space to breathe compared to Europe and no long flight to get there.
“In the past Australians seem to value an overseas destination above their own … now I’m hopeful they will see what they have in their own backyard.”
Newly revamped Hayman Island is also seeing a surge in interest, according to Mulpha Australia chief executive Greg Shaw.
“It will continue to grow once the flight capacity returns,” he said. “That is the key to opening up the borders.”
Sheridan Randall, 19th May 2020
