Record Expenditure from Visitors into Mackay
A record $545 million in domestic overnight expenditure has been injected into The Mackay Region, according to the latest data from Tourism Research Australia.
The National Visitor Survey (NVS) reports that for year ending March 2019, domestic visitor expenditure increased a remarkable 22.9 per cent across a three-year trend.
The record investment has been made by the one million visitors to Mackay, with March 2019, representing a tenth successive quarter of visitor growth, and a 12.2 per cent three-year trend growth.
Also contributing to the record expenditure has been significant increases in visitor nights, now sitting at 4 million, and the average visitor spend. Each new domestic visitor to The Mackay Region now spends on average $544, boosting economic growth, and creating jobs and flow on effects for the Mackay and Isaac communities.
Mayor Greg Williamson welcomed today’s National Visitor Survey data and the corresponding increases in visitation and expenditure.
“A new record for domestic visitation is an outstanding achievement for our region, and further proof that tourism is establishing itself as a key pillar of our economy,” Cr Williamson said.
“Mackay’s beautiful tropical weather and our friendly locals are always very welcoming of visitors, and as a community, we recognise and value the significant contribution these visitors continue to make to our region’s economy,” he said.
The Mayor said council was committed to continuing to invest in tourism.
“We do that through programs like our Recreational Fishing Strategy with its regional marketing campaigns and habitat improvement projects and our Invest Mackay Events Attraction Program, which continues to kick goals in securing business, sport and entertainment events,” he said.
The increases in domestic visitation and expenditure is good news for the region’s tourism businesses, with many reporting strong growth in the number of visitors.
One such local business benefiting from the increased desirability of The Mackay Region as a tourism destination is Inshore Fishing Mackay.
Inshore Fishing Mackay Owner Jason Kidd said, “over the past two years, I’ve welcomed an ever-increasing number of visitors, both domestic and international, all attracted to, and eager to experience the premier fishing destination that is The Mackay Region.”
Mr Kidd said, “complementing our remarkable fishing offering, is the region’s spectacular nature and wildlife experiences, all major drawcards for visitors. These natural assets, along with a strong visiting friends and relatives market means tourism presents a sustainable source of revenue for businesses like mine, and the region’s economy.”
Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber identified the leading source markets for domestic visitors to the region and highlighted the growing importance of the leisure market.
“The Mackay Region’s offering of unique, nature-based experiences proves very popular for our key source markets, led by four-hour drive and empty nester visitors. Visitors from Townsville, Rockhampton, Brisbane and interstate travel to Mackay to spend a few days relaxing on the Northern Beaches, watching platypus and hiking at Eungella or traveling the Mining Trail through the Isaac Region,” Mr Webber said.
“Holidays as the primary purpose of visit now accounts for 216,000 annual visitors, a three-year trend growth of 5.8 per cent. As more investment and marketing is made into our hero experiences, this leisure market will continue to grow in importance,” he said.
Mr Webber added, “Mackay Tourism will continue to grow and strengthen relationships with tourism partners, other regional tourism organisations, stakeholders, local businesses and the community to further develop and market the region’s tourism drawcards. These efforts will correlate to yet more record growth and tourism continuing to generate jobs and investment for Mackay.”
Contact:
Daniel Brown - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
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Published: 17 July 2019