Orange takes $2 million hit as cricket carnival called off

The Orange District Junior Cricket Association has cancelled the annual January carnival for the first time in 25 years after it was deemed it posed a health risk.

About 1000 people from Sydney, NSW and New Zealand visited Orange for the 2020 carnival, bringing about $2 million into the economy through spending on accommodation, meals, drinks, shopping and fuel.

About 21 teams from Sydney were to play in Orange over two weeks from January 4-14.

BNB Made Easy founder Tim Mortimer said he was aware of about 30 Airbnb properties in Orange with bookings for people attending the carnival.

"We have had about 12 cancellations already," he said.

"It's a bit of a shame for Orange but they have done it for the right reasons.

"We had a lot of people [booking] here for the cricket."

Mr Mortimer said they hoped some of the others would still come to Orange for a holiday.

"There is still about 17 holding on," he said.

Mr Mortimer said visitation to Orange had been strong over Christmas and hosts hoped the cancellations could be filled by other people wanting to visit the region.

"There are still plenty of visitors coming to town," he said.

Mid City Motor Lodge operator Vijay Bohra said they also had cancellations due to the carnival being called off.

He said the motel normally had many visitors for the carnivals.

"It gets pretty busy," he said.

Mr Bohra said it was otherwise a slow time for bookings.

"That period of time in Orange is quite quiet. This would have been a really good time to get some people through the door," he said.

Orange360 general manager Caddie Marshall said the carnival was worth about $2 million to Orange every year with plenty of families visiting.

"They contribute across quite a few sectors," she said.

Ms Marshall said while it would hurt businesses there was now room to encourage other visitors to fill the gap.

"As one door closes, another door opens," she said.

"It's only a two-week period but there are opportunities."

Ms Marshall said farmers from western NSW who had enjoyed "a bumper harvest" would look to come to Orange during the school holidays.

And she said the cricket families might still have a holiday in Orange.