Thoughts on Australian post COVID-19 recovery opportunities
Further to our previous posts on this topic and on a more positive note, if only a small percentage of the would-be cruise ship customers decided to stay in Australia and go to our tourist attractions we would possibly be creating an enormous new industry segment for the rotorcraft operators. The tourist attractions are often located in very remote areas. Perhaps, this may be a chance for helicopter operators to participate in tourist activities with clients who previously would spend a lot of money on overseas air/sea voyages and onshore sightseeing.
Australian retirees who traditionally head out in caravans and motorhomes to visit Australian attractions, proudly call themselves the “Grey Nomads.” This group is well known for being very frugal – and not doing aerial scenic flights.
However, the “refugees” from the cruise ship industry are somewhat different as they are used to spending a lot of money on the typical 1 to 2-week cruise. If forced to stay in Australia, due to the post global coronavirus pandemic, they may add a potential new market for the light helicopter industry.
At present, Australia with 2,300+ helicopters, is predominantly a light helicopter fleet. In fact, the Robinson Helicopter Company provides more than half of this number. At a guess, around one third of the Robinson fleet can be found with mustering companies in remote areas; and by therefore would be able to provide typical tourist activities creating a new industry segment.
In summary, this yet to emerge client group, being somewhat wealthier, would probably use regional airline services and aeroplane charter companies to visit remote tourist attractions by air rather than driving past distances by road. And then go on a helicopter tour of the local attractions.
At present we must hope our regional airline services do not collapse!
The helicopter industry really needs to form a professional business association which focuses on technical and legislative matters that need to be resolved to ensure the promotion of this new tourist opportunity occurs. Naturally, this means linking up with various state and territory government and industry tourist associations to ensure the promotion of the new concept can be a team effort.
As an aside, at present, many Australian state and territory governments are offering incentives to create new industries to overcome the rising unemployment rate. But nobody is going forward to research and then negotiate government sponsorship which may be available to help start new industries as we move into the "new different normal" way of living in Australia.
One side effect of this possible change, is the aeromedical industry would not be able to cope with large increases in tourist operations in Australia. COVID-19 studies are showing how vulnerable we are in our more remote areas. An expansion of this medical facility, already under some stress, is necessary as the bulk of the tourist industry are a retirees and obviously create increased workload upon regional medical facilities.
Next post will show what the tourism financial figures are showing. We really are sitting on a gold mine, we should ask ourselves is the helicopter industry asleep at the wheel. By comparison, the UAV folks are creating amazing technology driven by folks with vision and prepared to think outside the square.
Are you inside or outside the square?