THE turmoil caused by coronavirus is the last of a devastating triple whammy for tourism and events in Bathurst, according to Abercrombie House owner Chris Morgan.
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But he says there is an opportunity in every crisis and now is the time for those in the sector to look critically at what they offer so they are in the best position to take advantage of the rebound that will occur on the other side.
Mr Morgan announced on Monday that he and his wife Xanthe will shut their tourist attraction for 14 days in reaction to the latest Federal Government coronavirus restrictions.
"We expect to reopen the house and property on Sunday, April 5 and will offer a range of activities and experiences for visitors from that date although these arrangements will be subject to review as circumstances develop in the days and weeks ahead," the Morgans said in a statement.
Mr Morgan said the triple whammy for the sector started with the long-running drought in the district.
And then came the December and January bushfires.
"We've endured what we thought was the one-in-a-lifetime problem of complete loss of income in the visitor economy when all the roads were shut during the bushfires," he said.
"And in January it just began to turn back. There was a sense that, because of the robustness of our [tourism] products, there was a recovery under way.
"But no-one realised that the declaration of a pandemic and the potential spread of the virus would lead to a complete change in social behaviour.
"And no-one was quite prepared for it because no-one's ever seen the likes of it. It hasn't happened in our lifetime."
Mr Morgan is convinced an "incredible rebound" awaits when the coronavirus restrictions are eventually lifted.
"I think our Bathurst economy is set to really do well after this is over because of the strength of our products in the visitor economy," he said.
"And in a time like this when it's quiet, we can all work to make sure that our products are fantastic.
"You can find some positive outcome in every situation and this is ours, I think.
"Within the industry, that's the call to action: to make our products really good.
"And the call to action for the community is to understand we greatly value the support of locals - I'm speaking for every museum, every cafe, every restaurant, every hotel and motel and B and B.
"I'm speaking for the whole sector."
