CONCERNS are being raised for Gippsland’s local tourism industry following the emergence of a new trend being referred to as “ghost camping” under the State Government’s free camping policy.
“Ghost camping” is the practice of booking a campsite and then not using it without cancelling your booking.
The Nationals Member for Gippsland South, Danny O’Brien said it appeared the trend is being driven by the State Government’s ill-conceived free camping policy which removed site booking fees in national parks such as Tidal River campground in Wilson’s Promontory, among others.
“The campsites within our national parks are highly sought after and usually full over the summer, but a recent trip I took to Tidal River told a different story.
“The websites say the campground is full and the signs were up reading ‘no vacancy’ but the campground itself was full of vacant sites.
“When a website tells prospective visitors the campsite is full then they clearly don’t come and spend money in our local communities. But the campsites are not full.”
Mr O’Brien recently shared photos of the vacant Tidal River sites to his social media where commenters were quick to share their similar experiences around the state.
One commenter highlighted that the problem is exacerbated by the inability to cancel a booking once made through the government’s online portal.
“I will be writing to the Minister for Environment to share these concerns and request that an alternative model be considered such as a refundable deposit or the provision to re-let sites if someone doesn’t show up within 24 hours.
“Something simply has to give as it is clear that the current model is not working and “ghost camping” has robbed many communities of vital summer income as visitor numbers have been artificially depressed.”
