COVID Omicron surge in NSW doing little to slow South Coast tourism

The Southern NSW local health district reported 30 new COVID-19 cases on Boxing Day, with 109 cases "under virtual care". So far, the rate of infection has remained significantly lower compared to other parts of the state.

Tourist operators across the coast such as Jake McCulloch, manager of Narooma Bridge Seafoods says it's only getting busier by the day.

"At the moment you wouldn't even notice the increase in cases, cars are flooding in like no tomorrow so COVID doesn't seem to be stopping anyone that's for sure," Mr McCulloch said.

"COVID affected our business a bit when we were fully locked down but as soon as restrictions lift each time it becomes our busiest few weeks.

"I think because things have been cancelled so often people are fired up to come for the summer and enjoy their holiday even if cases increase."

Further up north in Moruya, owner of the Adelaide Hotel Matthew Irving says it's busier than it normally would be this time of year.

"Usually we find our tourists don't get here until after Boxing Day so this week is typically quiet, but this year we've been flat out already," Mr Irving said.

"I'm certainly not complaining about it being busy due to how difficult these past few summers have been for us down at the South Coast."

In the Jervis Bay region, Lisa Bun is the manager of Bayview Bakery and Cafe and says there has been no change since case numbers have gone up.

"I don't know further down the track what's going to happen but at this stage we still have a lot of tourists," Ms Bun said.

"It's busier than usual which is good to see, we're not really nervous about COVID because people are protecting themselves with masks all the time and there are not many cases around here at the moment."

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Mollymook is also reporting a busy period ahead, Paul Davis is the joint owner at the Ridge Retreat and says it's been totally over the top with business.

"I'd say it's frenzied, right since lockdown ended we have been fully booked every day, it's just full on," Mr Davis said.

"The town is packed with people, coming into Christmas it keeps getting more people but even the past two months you would think it's Christmas already, it's an amazing response really."

Cupitt's Estate customer experience manager Libby Cupitt says while they are fully booked, people are starting to make cancellations but due to the length of their wait list they are always at capacity.

"It's a bit of a juggling act right now and this week has felt a little quieter because I think people are wanting to wait until after Christmas to come down," Ms Cupitt said.

"We're very fortunate have a lot of outdoor dining here, so if the weather is good that makes things easier for us."

Mollymook beach waterfront owner Ken Banks says it has also picked up for his business.

"We're fully booked out until February and there are no cancellations for us but I also only accepted people who are fully vaccinated," Mr Banks said.

The Batemans Bay area is also reporting busy crowds as Ewan Morrison, the president of Batemans Bay Heritage Museum, says tourists seem to keep flowing.

"It doesn't appear to have slowed up at all, we've been having big numbers come through our museum which is great to see," Mr Morrison said.

Ella Mapula the manager of Paradise Coffee Roasters agrees there has been a steady number of tourists.

"It started a bit later than usual possibly due to the weather, but we've definitely noticed a good number of visitors in this past week," Ms Mapula said.

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