Orange is set for another boom in tourists when the school holidays kick off in three weeks.
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Accommodation, dining and wine businesses are recording strong advance bookings from major city residents who are planning regional holidays as they cannot go overseas or interstate.
Regional tourism body Orange360 says the community should be assured local tourism operators have COVID-19 safe plans in place and will be following health department regulations.
Forward bookings are strong for right through to October.
- Caddie Marshall, Orange360 general manager
Orange360 general manager Caddie Marshall said businesses which had struggled through the tough lockdown earlier this year were now receiving solid bookings from tourists.
"Forward bookings are strong for right through to October," she said.
"June, July and August, there have just been incredible numbers for accommodation and wineries. We've been going through stellar growth."
She said tourism operators were aware of concern in the community about visitors increasing the risk of spreading coronavirus.
"Yes there is a contingent within the Orange community. That's across the world," she said.
"Some people are scaredy-cats and they are entitled to be that."
Ms Marshall said it was not harming tourism business or scaring visitors away.
She said most of the comment was on local social media which visitors were not likely to be reading.
Ms Marshall said tourism operators were equally concerned about safety.
"Our operators are following the Public Health orders. They are vigilant with COVID-safe practices," she said.
"They're doing that because the want to ensure they remain safe, their staff remain safe, their visitors remain safe and the community remains safe."
"Our businesses, and we have heard it from other people who have visited, have been complemented on the consistency, quality and their compliance with our COVID-safe plans."
She said a key part of the safety plans was ensuring people booked ahead to limit numbers. Ms Marshall said Orange360's message to potential visitors on its social media sites was clear that people needed to book.
The member for Orange Phil Donato is also encouraging visitors to come to the region in a promotional video on his Facebook site.
"The drought and COVID-19 have really tested our region," he said.
"To help us get through this, I'm inviting you to explore our region."
Mr Donato said while health orders limited travel options tourists were encouraged to come to the Orange region and locals were invited to enjoy it too.
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