The streets of Narooma seemed particular packed on Monday with traffic backed up at times through town, while the ever-popular Bar Beach was absolutely packed.

All three of Narooma’s caravan parks - Big 4 Easts, Island View Beach Resort and Surf Beach Holiday Park – are all booked out.

Big 4 Easts regional manager Lynne Field said both sides of the Narooma park were booked out with not even one tent site available on Monday afternoon.

“It’s fabulous and we couldn’t be happier and the guests are having a great time enjoying all Narooma has to offer,” she said.

The parks she managed at Moruya and Batemans Bay were also full to capacity.

Restaurants and eateries such as the Quarterdeck Marina and The Inlet were all also very busy, while the Narooma Rotary Club reports that the Sunday markets were “huge and one of the biggest ever”.

The busyness extended throughout district down to Bermagui, where visitor information centre manager Christine Bimson said local caravan parks where rearranging to offer a few more tent sites.

It was shaping up to be bumper season throughout Eurobodalla, according to the shire’s visitor services and tourism manager Lysanne Cameron.

She said the falling Australian dollar and lower fuel price were having an impact on visitor numbers to the region.

“Even in the lead-up to the holidays, the door count at the Batemans Bay visitors centre has been the highest in years,” she said.

“A number of factors bode well for the season and the girls at the centres have been really busy.”

The Narooma visitor centre over the same period had been down a bit, perhaps because of the streetscaping construction in the area, but even then its numbers had been trending up even more than the Bay since 2009.

The visitor centres around Eurobodalla and also the Bega Valley kept a manual running sheet of what was available and so were able to refer visitors arriving without bookings to what was available.

Rough weather and the late arrival of the kingfish run at Montague Island had slowed things for charter operators so far in December, but they were looking at things picking up in the New Year.

The holiday will reach a crescendo tonight New Year’s Eve with the fireworks at the Narooma Golf Club at 9pm.

The staff hopes you enjoyed the festivities and have a safe and prosperous 2015.

Remember customer service

EUROBODALLA Shire Council is reminding everyone how important the local tourism industry is and how residents and local business owners can help by welcoming visitors and encouraging them to stop, stay and spend.

Eurobodalla mayor and tourism advisory committee chairman Lindsay Brown, wants to see everyone in the community getting behind the industry.

“Our tourism industry is vital to our economy, our lifestyle and environment, which is why we’ve made it the focus of Council’s latest Living in Eurobodalla residents’ newsletter,” Clr Brown said.

“By working together we can support and grow tourism in Eurobodalla and increase the economic, social and environmental benefits that it brings to our community.

“In the financial year ending June 2013, 1.26 million visitors spent $367 million in Eurobodalla.”

The mayor encourages the local community to become tourism ambassadors by sharing their local knowledge with visitors, friends and relatives.

“Now’s the perfect time to brush up on what brings visitors here every year so you can help them out.

“You can then share your local tips with visitors while you’re waiting in a queue or when you see someone looking a bit lost on the street.”

The mayor says locals can help by visiting www.eurobodalla.com.au where you will discover walking and cycling trails, heritage places, ancient geological sites and where to eat, play golf, fish, and shop.

You’ll also discover where to swim, kayak, surf and paddleboard, snorkel and sky-dive, Clr Brown said.

Meanwhile locals and visitors have access to the Narooma News fishing and dining guide that is out now in visitor centres and also in restaurants and tackle shops.

“You can also let them know about our visitor centres where they will be able to pick up a copy of the Eurobodalla Holiday Guide and 101 things to do and see brochure,” he said.

Clr Brown says the tourism data for June 2014 shows that visitors are continuing to favour Eurobodalla as a holiday destination.

“We have increased our share of regional NSW domestic overnight visitors, and domestic day visitors from other parts of the South Coast,” he said.

“If you are a local business owner, now’s the time to make sure your staff have their best customer service hats on so this summer’s visitors want to come back for more.

“Tourism creates opportunities for your business to grow and helps it become more sustainable than if you relied on our resident population alone.”

Tourism brought jobs, better infrastructure and community facilities, cultural and sporting events.

In a nature-based destination like Eurobodalla, it also brought investment in the conservation of our natural environment so it is time to embrace the industry, the Mayor said.

“The next time the increased traffic annoys you, your favourite parking space at the beach is gone, your mobile phone and internet reception is a little slower or the supermarket queues are longer, please take some time to remember the benefits that a thriving tourism industry brings.”