Mackay Makes it Big in Europe
Tourism goes from strength to strength in Mackay, with the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) recording a seventh successive quarter of international visitor growth for the region.
Data released by Tourism Research Australia, recorded international visitor statistics for year ending June 2018.
Highlights for The Mackay Region included an increase of 24.3 per cent in the number of visitors from last year. 56,000 international visitors experienced The Mackay Region for year ending June 2018, generating expenditure of $16 million.
An average length of stay of 8.7 nights correlated to 484,000 nights spent in the region, an increase of 12.3 per cent year on year.
The outstanding result for tourism operators and the local economy was welcomed by Mackay Tourism General Manager, Tas Webber.
“Today’s result is a fantastic achievement for tourism operators”.
“The substantial increases in international visitor numbers and nights, signifies that The Mackay Region’s branding of nature reserved experiences is striking a cord with holiday planners around the world”, said Mr. Webber.
Mayor Greg Williamson congratulated Mackay Tourism and the region’s tourism operators on the result.
“Seven successive quarters of domestic, and now international, visitor growth is a tremendous achievement,’’ he said.
“Tourism is a key pillar in our region’s economy, and this continuous growth looks set to continue, thanks to our abundance of iconic wildlife encounters and stellar calendar of major events coming to Mackay.
“Developments like the Sugar Bowl Mackay wheeled sports plaza, Great Barrier Reef Arena and the $23.9 million Mackay ARC (Aquatic and Recreation Complex), will attract events and with it visitors from across the world.”
Spearheading the substantial growth in international tourism to Mackay, was the European market.
36,000 European visitors chose Mackay as a must visit destination in year ending June 2018. This represented an increase of 40.8 per cent.
Germany was Mackay’s leading international market, with 11,000 visitors. 3,000 more than was recorded over the twelve months prior.
Benefiting from the increases in international visitors were Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park owners Ben and Renae Atherton, who said visitors from Germany accounted for 13 per cent of their total bookings.
“Cape Hillsborough Nature Tourist Park is located at one of Mackay’s most picturesque locationswhere guests can truly surround themselves with 360 degrees of nature.”.
“We have visitors from all over the world, but particularly Europeans who seek out our untouched wildlife experiences”.
“As a tourism industry, we should all be proud that our region is gaining a reputation as a holiday destinationwhere guests are capitalizing on our branding of Nature. Reserved alongwith a welcoming, friendly community”, said Mr. and Mrs. Atherton.
Mackay Tourism is confident of continued visitor number growth when the next International, and Domestic Visitor Surveys are released for year ending September 2018.
Contact:
Daniel Brown - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
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Published: 2 November 2018