Griffith's caravan parks have seen a boom in business after restrictions have eased, as a new campaign is launched aiming to bring tourists to caravan parks in regional areas.
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The Caravan, Camping and Touring Industry of NSW have launched a push to encourage tourists to explore the state as border restrictions stemming from the coronavirus pandemic keep people from travelling across the nation.
According to data from the state's caravan body, caravan and camping holidays showed increased 9.2 per cent on trips in the year to March 2020.
Manager of the Griffith Tourist Caravan Park Colette Way said as soon as people were allowed to travel again, the park has seen a bump in people staying.
"We've had a lot of people to start with [in March] because we had all our bunkhouses full with our workers," Ms Way said.
"As soon as everyone could start travelling again we've been pretty full up with the sites."
Ms Way said while the park still needs to find a way around those who have either been forced to cancel their trips due to border restrictions or those who planned to visit for cancelled events, the park has been managing to keep attendance stable during lockdown.
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Manager at the Griffith Caravan Village Cath Firkin said many people who have been staying at Griffith since restrictions have lifted are visiting the city for the first time and have ended up staying longer than expected.
"Griffith wasn't really on their radar," Ms Firkin said.
"They'd come here for a day and they'd end up staying here for three because they got out here and didn't realise Griffith had so much to offer.
"We're not on a major highway but this time they've come because it's somewhere different to go and [they've] been really impressed."
Ms Firkin said while numbers were less than expected during lockdown because of travel restrictions, the park had the chance to catch up on maintenance and ready themselves for an increased population once restrictions had lifted.
State tourism minster Stuart Ayres said the push aims to get people embracing regional communities as restrictions lift.
"We know this is what holiday-makers are looking for and we expect regional communities will see an influx of visitors embracing that feeling of freedom in the coming months," Mr Ayers said.
"If you're thinking about a caravan or camping holiday in NSW, my advice is book now because there has been a surge in interest and many sites from the coast to the country are getting snapped up months in advance."
For more information on the CCIA's Love NSW Caravan & Camping campaign, you can visit here.
