Mackay Region Growing as a Tourism Destination
The Mackay Region is growing as a tourism destination following National Visitor Survey (NVS) data released today showing a sixth successive quarter of domestic visitation growth. The survey results, for year ending March 2018, demonstrated encouraging growth across the board, as tourism increases its importance to the region’s economy.
Highlighting the NVS results was the increase in overnight visitors to Mackay, up 1.9 per cent year on year, to 895,000. Visitor growth was buoyed by a substantial increase in average length of stay, up 27.4 per cent year on year, to 4.7 nights.
This increase in length of stay has been felt across all three measurements of travel, with holiday average length of stay up 15.6 per cent to 3.4 nights and Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) up 16.6 per cent to 4.0 nights. Business travel also rose with an average of length of stay now at 5.1 nights, following a year on year increase of 18.2 per cent.
What these increases in visitation numbers and average length of stay means is that for year ending March 2018, an impressive 4.2 million nights were spent by visitors in The Mackay Region. An increase of nearly 30 per cent, this growth means major expenditure into the region, ultimately creating more jobs.
Further exhibiting the rise of Mackay as a major tourism region, was the 30.5 per cent, year on year, increase of interstate visitors. The twelve months prior to March 2018, saw 136,000 of our southern neighbours travel to Mackay to enjoy our relaxed atmosphere, tropical climate and experience the region’s world renowned natural attractions.
General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, believes the NVS data released today, clearly demonstrates the growing importance of tourism to The Mackay Region. “Mackay as a tourism destination is growing significantly in prominence across all our target markets. We now offer visitors a whole range of natural, cultural and event experiences to name but a few”.
Mr Webber continued “with increased investment, Mackay can continue to develop as a tourism destination, attract more visitors and increase length of stay”.
“When tourism grows, the community benefits. The significant domestic expenditure into our region, now at $380 million annually, creates employment, sustainable development and more attractions for both visitors and locals to enjoy” said Mr Webber.
“The Mackay community can take pride in knowing more and more people want to share in what makes our region great”.
Today’s NVS results were also welcomed by the Mackay Regional Council. Mackay Mayor Greg Williamson said the increases in overnight visitor nights and average length of stay demonstrated the success of investment in tourism.
“Mackay is steadily developing as a tourism destination, and increased council investment in tourism-related infrastructure and events will see strong and sustainable growth continue”. he said.
"Investments like our Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program and the Mackay Waterfront Priority Development Area all contribute to making the region more attractive to visitors, ultimately creating more jobs for the community”.
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Published: 20 June, 2018