The Broome Chamber of Commerce and Industry is pleading with the State Government to lift travel restrictions into the region saying if tourists can’t visit while tourist season is on the town could face economic disaster.

A recent survey by the Broome CCI found around two thirds of businesses have lost more than half their income in the past month alone.

Other findings included:

• 98% of surveyed businesses in Broome benefit from tourism and visitors
• 80% of businesses surveyed are directly involved in the tourism, hospitality, and retail sectors
• 57% of local business derive 75% or more of business activity from visitors
• 88% of businesses can be ready and able to open or scale up to meet demand if the borders open soon.

The partial reopening of borders from Monday won’t provide much relief – with the Kimberley still cut off from the rest of the state.

President of the local CCI Peter Taylor told Gareth Parker on Mornings the town relies on tourists to survive.

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