A WAIKERIE business owner says a noticeable increase of visitors are making their way through the region after a tough several months.
Illalangi owner Keryn Gorman said it was time for Riverland businesses to let the rest of the state know they are open for business.
“I think people are really relieved that our state is doing so well, so a lot of people have been really positive and upbeat about that,” she said.
“We had people in the other week who said they were due to be in Iceland, but now they have all this time to spend in their own state.
“All these people who had holidays planned but haven’t been able to go, are now coming into the regions instead.”
Mrs Gorman said she has seen different waves of visitors in her shop over the past few months.
“On May 11 when the regions opened up it was really interesting because it started off with the self-contained caravanners and grey nomads,” she said.
“Then it was people coming here for a quick weekend getaway or just escaping.
“And recently it’s all the people taking up their travel options.
“We’ve had people through, who have never been to the Riverland.”
Mrs Gorman said it is extremely important for Riverland businesses to market themselves and advertise what they have to offer.
“You have to be ‘top of mind’ for customers,” she said.
“We’re here and we have a lot to offer.”
Mrs Gorman said she decided to go in the upcoming edition of River Time – compiled by Taylor Group Newspapers – to make sure customers know what she has to offer.
“It’s a great publication,” she said.
“We’re a volunteer visitor information centre outlet and I think this publication is spot on.
“We often get people coming into the shop and the first question we get asked is ‘do you have this publication?’.
“We use the maps as our go to and then we check with the Destination Riverland website and Facebook to check what is open when to make sure we don’t give the wrong information.”
Mrs Gorman said due to the size of her shop she still has to be careful of numbers.
“We engage with our customers and take their details and I think it actually makes people feel secure and appreciate what we’re doing,” she said.
“So, we’re doing the right thing. We are a tourist destination and we’re getting more and more people from all over the place.
“You just have to be vigilant.”
Mrs Gorman said customers were in for a real treat when visiting her shop.
“I think we would have the most extensive range of Riverland and South Australian products on offer,” she said.
“We have dried fruit, nuts, we hand make a lot of things and hand pick the products seen on our shelves.
“We also source some products from other regions if they aren’t made here, like cheeses which complement all the other platter essentials.”
Illalangi is located at 12915 Sturt Highway, Waikerie.

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