One St Helens accommodation provider has tried to alter existing bookings to capitalise on One Night Stand, according to the state’s peak tourism body.
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Tasmanian Industry Council of Tourism chief executive Luke Martin said one St Helens business had made at least one attempt to change bookings after triple j announced on Thursday the East Coast would host the festival.
“There is one operator trying to change someone’s booking to make it a minimum stay of two nights,” he said.
“It’s important people honour existing bookings, because you just can’t do that.
“It would be really disappointing to see operators changing bookings or spiking prices after bookings were already made.”
The St Helens Football Club oval will host One Night Stand on September 1, marking the first time Tasmania has hosted the rural festival in its 15-year history.
I think longer term it will put us on the map for people who hadn’t previously considered visiting the East Coast.
- The East Coast Regional Tourism Organisation chief executive Ruth Dowty
The East Coast Regional Tourism Organisation chief executive Ruth Dowty said changing existing bookings to maximise profit was a poor business practice.
Ms Dowty said the event would be fantastic for the area.
“I think longer term it will put us on the map for people who hadn’t previously considered visiting the East Coast,” she said.
“It’s an amazing opportunity that only comes around once in a while.”
Accommodation for the festival is already scarce, after St Helens providers were inundated with bookings just hours after the announcement.
Mr Martin said a large portion of the East Coast would positively benefit from the festival.
“It would be great to see bookings down the East Coast and hopefully as far as Swansea and Bicheno,” he said.
“Events like this can be the difference between a business having a quiet or busy winter.
“We need to think about what events we can attract to the East Coast in the future during the low and shoulder seasons.”
Break O’Day mayor Mick Tucker said he had not heard of any businesses changing existing bookings after triple j’s announcement.
Stefan Boscia
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
Stefan came to The Examiner after working as a copywriter at a digital media firm in Melbourne and interning at The Conversation. He is enthusiastic about reporting on business, local government and environmental issues. When he is not chained to his work desk, Stefan enjoys getting brunch, reading Saul Bellow novels and watching Carlton games.
