IN a shock announcement, manager of the La Salle Motel Narooma Rhonda Upton says the motel is closing and the property has been listed for sale for the last two weeks.
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The owners of the motel business and property are the De La Salle Brothers religious order based in Sydney and Mrs Upton said they made the difficult decision to sell in order to save costs and focus on their other religious duties.
She did consider taking on the business herself but in the current economic and tourism climate thought it would be a losing battle.
“Some of the factors are beyond our control,” she said.
“The Global Financial Crises has seen workers’ superannuation adversely affected and self-funded retirees have had reduced income to due to interest rate reductions.
“Businesses generally are facing increased costs with electricity, insurance and so on and in the Eurobodalla Shire, rates and charges like water have gone up as much as 300 per cent, along with increased supply and wage costs.”
She said there were fewer visitors to the South Coast and Narooma and the Eurobodalla tourism board could be doing more, alleging it has not met for three years and there was no leadership.
“All current councillors are responsible and should be held accountable for the current state of the tourism industry in the shire,” she said.
The nature and habits of the traveller was changing with fewer coach groups and more self-contained grey nomads, she said.
The Brothers purchased what had been the “Highway Motel” about 20 years ago and Mrs Upton had been managing it for the last 10 years.
She said she was proud of its accomplishments including hosting Biggest Morning Teas and Girls Night In charity events, while it had also been a venue for various conferences and meetings.
Another highlight of course was playing host to the Blues Festival musicians over the years.
Mrs Upton said she hopes to stay in Narooma and will be looking for a new vocation.
The motel officially closes its doors on August 18, after which the property will be up for sale.
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