LANCELIN needs to offer something extra to win more tourists, a local expert says.
Lancelin Visitor Centre owner Anita Jarvis has run her business – the only WA Tourism Council accredited accommodation operator in Lancelin – for the past 17 years.
Ms Jarvis said an average of 7000 to 10,000 people came through the doors of Lancelin Visitor Centre annually and the main question she faced was about what Lancelin had to offer.
“We need more products to sell to the people to keep them here,” she said.
“Not resorts or flash accommodation or newer and better caravan parks but if you don’t surf, wind or kite surf, have your own motorbike, dune buggy, boat, snorkelling gear etc, after a couple of hours of that what other option do you have?”
“With Lancelin’s lovely beaches and sunsets and laid back style for the over-60s, it may be what they want but give them an adventure, a guided walk tour around the town; there’s great history here.
“All it needs is for an operator to realise the potential and then we may be able to compete with the Margaret Rivers and Jurien Bays.”
Lancelin Pirates marketing manager Kym Illman echoed Ms Jarvis’ points, but said although he loved staying at his own weekend beach shack, there was no real quality accommodation to bring tourists to the coastal town.
“There needs to be investment in accommodation because there is a percentage of people who would probably never ever come to Lancelin because there’s nothing of any quality to stay in,” he said.
“There needs to be a decent restaurant too; word needs to spread around and it could be the new Bunker Bay.”