Spring and summer can be busy times for Australia’s leisure and amusement industry.
Warmer days get people out and about, whether they’re heading off on a family day trip or taking a holiday. For operators in the amusement and leisure industry, there is plenty happening. New attractions may be getting ready to open, bookings are filling the calendar and teams are preparing for the months ahead.
Tourism Research Australia recorded 70.7 million domestic day trips occurred during the December quarter of 2025, highlighting just how active Australians can be during the holiday period.
Of course, that doesn’t mean every leisure business experiences the same seasonal pattern. But it does show just how active Australians can be during the holiday period.
For both big and small operators, it’s time to ask “How has our business changed since last summer?”
Maybe you’ve given customers something new
A year can bring plenty of change.
An indoor entertainment centre might have introduced a new climbing attraction. An arcade may have added the latest machines. A go-kart operator could have invested in equipment, while an outdoor attraction may have expanded what visitors can do.
These are positive changes. They give existing customers another reason to return and new customers something to discover.
They can also change the business from an insurance perspective.
If you have introduced new equipment or activities, completed a fit-out or significantly changed the way an attraction operates, it is worth having a discussion with your broker to understand whether they affect your insurance arrangements.
Maybe your business has simply grown
Growth isn’t always a big expansion with a ribbon-cutting ceremony.
Sometimes it looks like a fuller booking calendar, more birthday parties and group visits, additional equipment, longer opening hours or a Saturday that is noticeably busier than it was months ago.
Individually, those changes can feel like normal business life. Together, they may mean the operation you have today is quite different from the one your broker last reviewed.
“In the leisure industry, businesses are always evolving. New attractions, equipment and activities are exciting signs of growth, but they’re also things your broker needs to understand.” says Mick Alexander, Managing Director of HIB Insurance Brokers
Summer can look different for every operator
One of the things that makes the amusement and leisure industry interesting is its variety.
A warmer spring or summer day might be great news for an outdoor attraction. A very hot or even a rainy day could have families looking for indoor entertainment instead. Travelling amusement operators may be moving between events, while caravan parks and other tourism businesses can be welcoming holiday visitors.
There isn’t one version of a “busy season”.
That’s why it is important for your broker to understand how your operation works, including what you offer, when you’re busiest, the equipment you rely on and how the business has evolved.
Enjoy the momentum, but keep your broker in the picture
November is a good time to appreciate how far the business has come this year and look forward to what’s next.
With Christmas, summer and the school holidays ahead, many operators will be focused on creating great experiences for their customers.
If you have added attractions, invested in equipment, expanded your operation or changed the way you do business, it is also worth keeping your broker informed.
“We want operators to be able to focus on giving their customers a great experience. Our role is to understand what is changing behind the scenes and help ensure their insurance arrangements continue to reflect the business.” says Mick.
HIB Insurance Brokers specialises in insurance solutions for Australia’s amusement and leisure industry. We work with operators to understand the businesses behind the fun and help identify insurance arrangements appropriate to their circumstances.
If your business looks different from this time last year, talk to the HIB team today. Call (02) 6041 1488, email enquiries@hib.com.au or visit hib.com.au.
Insurance cover is subject to individual circumstances, eligibility and applicable policy terms, conditions, exclusions and limits. This information is general in nature and does not take into account your individual objectives, financial situation or needs.