Accommodation operators at Dubbo are on their way to a sell-out as inquiries roll in from people hoping to see the Duke and Duchess of Sussex next month.
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Apartments at one hotel have already been snapped up for the night of the royal couple’s visit to the city on October 17.
Other moteliers have also reported of strong demand for rooms and told the Daily Liberal the whole industry is expecting to have no vacancies for the event.
Bookings have been received from Sydney and as far away as Victoria from royal enthusiasts wanting to catch a glimpse of Prince Harry and new bride Meghan Markle.
National media flying in to cover the visit are also securing places to stay.
Quest property manager Amy Verma reported its apartments were already fully booked for October 17.
“There has been a tremendous increase in that one, since the date has been announced… we have been getting calls,” she said.
“...and now people are trying to book for October 16 and we are going to get fully booked for October 16 as well.”
She reports of enthusiasm among her staff to see the duke and duchess, a feeling she shares.
I’m so happy, I’m so delighted, everyone is so delighted.
- Quest Apartment Hotel property manager Amy Verma
“I also want to see them,” she said.
“I have been in the UK for four years and I never got a chance to see the royal couple over there, so I’m so much excited they are coming to Australia and they have chosen Dubbo as a place to come over, so that puts me in a really good place.
“I’m so happy, I’m so delighted, everyone is so delighted.”
Quality Inn International Dubbo owner and Dubbo Chamber of Commerce vice-president Kerrieanne Nichols has seen bookings pick up since the visit was announced on September 10.
Her business is receiving bookings for two-night stays, she reports.
The morale of the town has been boosted so much, it’s amazing especially being in drought.
- Chamber of Commerce vice-president Kerrieanne Nichols
With the average stay usually being for 1.5 nights, it was “great” to see the rise to two, she said.
Ms Nichols hailed the visit as a huge boon for businesses across the spectrum.
By bringing in people to the city, it would increase everyone’s trade, from food, to mementos and beyond, she said.
There was also the possibility of long-term benefits for the Dubbo economy.
“It will introduce people to our city, to make that tree change to work here,” Ms Nichols said.
The business owner also reported the visit was doing wonders for spirits.
“The morale of the town has been boosted so much, it’s amazing especially being in drought,” Ms Nichols said.
She was also excited for today’s generation to “have this moment”, noting how people recalled the Queen’s tours, and anticipated it would live on in memories for years to come.
“It’s a golden moment,” Ms Nichols said.
Ms Nichols’ view that accommodation would be 100 per cent full in the city was shared by Cascades Motor Inn owner Ashleigh Bellotti.
He said the business was seeing “a lot of family rooms being booked out and quicker than usual”.
Most of the inquiries they had received were from Sydney, with people indicating they were coming to catch “a glimpse” of the royal couple, and one couple from Victoria had booked.
“We’ll be sold out and my colleagues from across the trade are expecting to be sold out as well” Mr Bellotti said.
“It’s a huge thing for Dubbo.”
Dubbo Regional Council economic development and marketing manager Josie Howard said October was typically a month of low vacancy rates but there had been an increase in interest prompted by the royal visit.
“The guys down at the visitors centre are fielding several [inquiries] a day,” she said.
“So we won’t obviously know the actual rates until we do our monthly tourism market report, but it’s really shaping up to be a busy time across the city and the region.”