Accommodating games

HONEYMOONERS and sports lovers could be vying for accommodation during Melbourne’s Commonwealth Games in both the Dandenong and Yarra Ranges.
With the games just seven months away, interest in accommodation in the region during March 2006 has began to surface.
Olinda’s Como Cottages has recorded a strong performance so far.
Manager Brett Dillon said the cottages were 60 per cent booked for the duration of the games in March.
He believes the Commonwealth Games will be good for local tourism.
“It will be good for any half decent bed and breakfast business, or small accommodation business within two hours’ drive of Melbourne,” he said.
Lochiel Luxury Accommodation in Olinda has also registered interest.
Manager Alan Olney said he was expecting strong business, and had already taken bookings.
But he said a majority of those booking were for honeymooners and other nonCommonwealth Games related bookings getting in before the tourism rush.
“We have got quite few bookings, not specifically for the Commonwealth Games, but maybe people are thinking of getting in early because of the games,” he said.
Mr Olney said March was a popular month for weddings.
“People are thinking about bookings, and it seems to me they are definitely getting in early.”
Other accommodations reported less interest in games accommodation.
Ferntree Gully Motel supervisor Kylie Bennett said the business had received “just a couple” of inquiries, and was unsure whether the Commonwealth Games would provide a boom.
Lavender Hill Cottage, Silvan manager Annette Stone said she had not even thought about the Commonwealth Games.
She said her bed and breakfast accommodation contained only one cottage and that it only took one family for it to be fully booked out.
But she said booking agencies were likely to use the cottage as part of their packages for the Commonwealth Games.