Shoalhaven Tourism is excited to welcome visitors back to the coast but is urging them to book ahead and be respectful when they return.
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It comes after on Wednesday, May 20 the NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian announced recreational regional travel would resume from June 1.
The Shoalhaven Visitor Information Centre has seen a spike in inquiries since Wednesday's announcement and says it has translated into an increase in bookings for the long weekend and September-October school holidays.
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Acting tourism manager Shannan Perry-Hall said the announcement gives the industry something to work towards but believes they need to take a measured approach.
"While we will welcome people back, we do need them to plan and be really mindful of the fact that they're coming into a region that has just been through bushfires and coronavirus and we are a region that does rely heavily on tourism," she said.
"We're also letting them know that there are still some areas that are recovering from fire - so places like Pigeon House Mountain track is still closed. Some camping areas within national parks are still closed."
Shannan said the Shoalhaven is in a good position to bounce back once holidaymakers return.
"I think our proximity to Sydney and Canberra is going to see us really well placed in the next 12 to 18 months to see a really strong growth in visitors returning.
"We have seen the Shoalhaven tourism industry grow a lot over the last five years not only in numbers but in the amount people are spending in the region."
Shoalhaven Tourism said they are aware locals may be a little anxious of visitors returning during the current climate.
"I want to be quite clear that we are really being strong in our messaging about adhering to social distancing, about booking ahead, about making sure that operators know the rules and regulations around what they can and can't do so that they're supporting our community.
"It's not just a matter of racing out there and shouting from the rooftops come, come, come.
"We're actually doing it in a really sustainable way."
Across the South Coast, other councils are also ready to welcome visitors back but are encouraging them to return gradually.