An advertising campaign will encourage people who can’t find rooms at the moment to return in the quieter, but “still beautiful”, months of February, March and April, Mr Cockburn says.
“Anybody who’s looking for a job, there’s heaps going,” he says, referring to the shortage of hospitality and cleaning staff plaguing most of the nation. “There’s no doubt that some [regular tourists] are heavily traumatised by the events of that 24 hours. For some, they’re going to say we’re going to have a year off. But there’s a whole range of people who have been coming here for 40 years and will do it for another 40 years.
“The only way to look is forward, as far as I’m concerned. And I think the future looks pretty good.”Our Morning Edition newsletter is a curated guide to the most important and interesting stories, analysis and insights. Sign up