More and more Australians are now heading to regional areas for holidays.
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Local hotels have been receiving enquiries and requests for bookings by travellers who are eager to hit the road.
Yvonne Wheeldon from Mercure Hotel says that they are receiving requests for bookings for spring and summer seasons.
"People are visiting regional areas because they can't travel overseas at the moment. More and more people are holidaying here now which they probably wouldn't have done otherwise," she said.
"It's a good thing that they are trying to visit and support regional areas."
Quest Goulburn is getting bookings for accommodations from travellers as well.
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"People are keen to travel to the city to see the heritage sites and go for bushwalks," Clover said.
"Those travelling from nearby places like Sydney and Canberra make Goulburn as their stop on the way."
Meanwhile, the NSW Government has asked Sydneysiders and NSW residents to be a COVID safe tourist in their own backyard and support local businesses by booking tours and visiting attractions.
Minister for Jobs, Investment, Tourism and Western Sydney Stuart Ayres said NSW residents could help reboot the state's visitor economy by hitting the road for a short break, taking a Sydney 'playcation', or even making the most of a day trip.
"We all want to make a difference by staying and spending locally, so let's enjoy all corners of NSW and jam-pack our itineraries with NSW's finest experiences," Minister Ayres said.
"You'll be rewarded with the diversity and beauty of our state and make a huge difference to our tourism businesses that are doing it tough."
According to recent trends in holiday planning, top three types of holiday Australians will take in the next 12 months are a road trip (68 per cent), a trip to visit friends and family (66 per cent) and a trip to the countryside (65 per cent).
"Recent research shows that compared to pre-COVID, travellers are 76 per cent more likely to support local businesses and communities, and 68 per cent more likely to visit parts of Australia they haven't been to before," Mr Ayres said.
"We've all had our lives on hold for six months or more, now's the time to get out there, enjoy our NSW stories, landscapes and experiences and turn 2020 around together.
"Now's the time to support our local tourism operators but it's not a time to be complacent."
Visitors, locals and businesses are reminded to stay COVID safe during the school holidays by maintaining social distancing, good hygiene and staying home if unwell.
Holidaymakers are encouraged to phone ahead to confirm bookings and check local conditions with business operators.
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