Economy Benefiting from International Tourism
The Mackay Region continues to grow as a destination for international visitors, according to the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS). These preliminary results for year ending March 2018 represent the sixth successive quarter of international visitation growth for The Mackay Region.
54,000 international visitors were welcomed to The Mackay Region for year ending March 2018. This figure represents a year on year increase of 12.2 per cent.
Increases in international visitation has coincided with the strong, and sustainable growth of the regions tourism industry. The continued growth of tourism looks set to set to benefit the local economy with tourism recently identified by the Queensland Government as a driving force of Mackay.
For year ending March 2018, international visitors spent 479,000 nights in Mackay and crucially contributed $15.9 million to the region’s economy.
The Mackay Region’s Nature Reserved marketing, and offering of untouched wildlife experiences has proven especially popular with European visitors. 34,000 European’s visited the Mackay Region for year ending March 2018, a year on year increase of 26.4 per cent.
The latest IVS results were good news to Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber.
“These preliminary IVS results demonstrate that The Mackay Region is growing as a tourism destination”.
“Six successive quarters of international visitation have now been recorded, signaling tourism as a major contributor to the region’s economy”.
Mr. Webber continued “The Mackay Region offers visitors unique, nature based experiences. With continued investments into sustaining and marketing these nature experiences, The Mackay Region will continue to grow as a tourism destination, and in doing so inject jobs and investment into the local community”.
Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson was also pleased with the results and The Mackay Region’s continued growth as a tourism destination.
“More international visitors to Mackay means more jobs, and more investment into the community, and that’s something we can all support,” Cr Williamson said.
“Council is committed to growing tourism in our region, and with initiatives like our Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program, I’m confident Mackay can flourish as a tourism destination,’’ he said.
“Increased visitation reflects the efforts of council, Mackay Tourism, local stakeholders and our friendly locals, who should all take pride in their region being marketed around the world.”
The International Visitor Survey (IVS) results for the March quarter 2018 are preliminary and do not include any data relating to purpose of visit. Work is currently being undertaken by Tourism Research Australia to address purpose of visit concerns. No issues with IVS survey collection methodology have been identified.
Contact:
Daniel Brown - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it.
Published: 19 July 2018