JULY 2010

'Businesses must support each other'

Caravanners expect more, says new Chamber leader

Colin Wheeler: friendliness and customer service

THE manager of a NSW Mid North Coast caravan park, who has just become the new leader of his local chamber of commerce, has warned that caravanners are beginning to expect more for their holiday dollar.

"Caravanning has become very popular over the last few years and the caravan park industry is becoming increasingly competitive," Hawks Nest Beach Holiday Park's Colin Wheeler told Caravanning News.

"Consumers are expecting more in regards to the level of cleanliness, facilities and the quality of grounds offered by caravan parks."

Mr Wheeler, who took over the park in March with partner Natasha, has been elected president of the Myall Coast Chamber of Commerce.

 He will work towards forging a closer relationship between businesses so more tourists can be attracted to the region. "For small communities to thrive, all businesses must support each other and events that pull people to the area," he said.

"It is important that businesses refer visitors and locals to other businesses in town, rather than to larger retail stores out of the area.

"We need to ensure all our tourist areas are looking and functioning well and that our friendliness and customer service we all provide is at a competitive level. Customer service is the most important aspect of hospitality, tourism and retail."

Mr Wheeler said caravan park owners and managers must maintain a quality park because campers and caravanners talked amongst themselves and referred travellers to good parks they had visited.

"I know for a fact that caravanners and campers have no hesitation in letting people know where to go and where to avoid."

Mr Wheeler said he and his partner were slowly making changes to their 40-year-old park with a view to making it "the place to stay in Hawks Nest".

It offers grass and slabbed powered sites, together with a range of cabins. Two new two-bedroomed beach bungalows even come with leather lounges, dishwasher, plasma TV and much more.

"We encourage people to have a look at our park so they can see we are just not a drab old caravan park," Mr Wheeler said.

Hawks Nest Beach Holiday Park has recently been nominated for a Camping and Camping Industry Award and has also applied for the Environment Friendly Gumnut Award which distinguishes environmentally friendly parks from others in the same accommodation category.

As president of the local Chamber of Commerce, Mr Wheeler said he wanted to offer a product that encouraged people into his town to boost the local economy.

"This is particularly important in the colder months. The Myall Coast Area has so much natural beauty to offer that I can almost guarantee once people have experienced the area they will be back."

A newly introduced voucher system with the Hawks Nest Golf Club offered some "sensational savings" for golf enthusiasts and visitors, he said.

"This is one project we have put into place to encourage people into the area.

"Customer service is the absolute number one priority we have at our park. We all aim to give 110 percent to ensure all visitors to the area enjoy their stay so much they become repeat guests."