Tent city considered

Creating a tent city to cope with the influx of visitors expected in Albany for Anzac centenary commemorations will be a last resort, according to the City of Albany.

Tourism WA is proposing to undertake two studies to research how available accommodation will cope and give the City a better idea of whether any overflow accommodation will be required.

Albany has a jam-packed four-day program of events planned from October 30 to November 2 next year to commemorate the 1914 departure of the first Anzac convoy.

Tourism WA chief executive Stephanie Buckland said they were planning surveys to identify and track actual accommodation bookings, and investigate potential attendance from visitors yet to book accommodation.

“The purpose of both studies is to ensure the City is armed with the best possible information to help determine whether overflow accommodation needs to be opened up, without upsetting existing accommodation providers,” she said.

“A research company will be engaged to conduct research in Sydney, Melbourne, Perth and regional WA (key tourism markets).

“The study will gauge whether those surveyed are aware of the activities happening in Albany and whether they are considering coming.”

At the community forum in October, City corporate services executive director Garry Adams said it was important the City did not rush into “opening up tent cities”.

This week he said he hoped the studies would give the City an understanding of how many people were likely to come to Albany.

“We are doing an audit of all accommodation available in the region, which includes caravan parks and camping grounds,” Mr Adams said.

“We want to ensure all accommodation in the whole region is full before considering any form of overflow accommodation.”