Record high visitor numbers as business confidence grows

The Mackay Region has recorded its highest number of visitors to the region, in the July to September 2017 quarter, with 908,000 domestic visitors.  

Business visitation has grown by a massive 30.6% to 481,000, likely due to cyclone recovery efforts and renewed confidence in the mining sector.

Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR) travel also grew by 22.7% to 192,000 while holiday visitation remained steady, at 158,000.

The other highlight was the increase in average length of stay for holiday visitation, up by 33.4% year on year.

The average spend per night has increased to $117 and the spend per visitor is around $415.

General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, said the numbers were a good sign for the region. 

“This is great news for tourism, as well as business confidence throughout the entire region,” Mr Webber said.

“To have business visitation grow by more than 30% is a strong indication that the economy is being boosted by tourism and other sectors.”

Mackay Regional Council acting mayor Cr Karen May said the numbers were a reflection of the positivity that had returned to our region.

“Those of us who live here know what an amazing place our region is and these numbers show the message is getting out there,” Cr May said.

“Whatever the reason for their visit, it’s exciting to see that people are staying longer and I think that reflects the liveability of our region – the beauty, great events and attractions, natural environment and lack of hustle and bustle.”

CEO of Greater Whitsunday Alliance (GW3), Garry Scanlan, said the increase in tourism echoed the same trend being seen across Mackay.

“We are starting to see confidence emerging across business, as well as a lot of other sectors, in Mackay. We are seeing uptake in residency, and an increase in skills demand, which all goes to show the increase in confidence,” Mr Scanlan said.

“Visitor numbers are up, the local economy is looking healthy and we are seeing alternate opportunities open up so all indications show that 2018 will be a positive year.”

The record visitation statistics has come one week after international visitor numbers hit 50,000 for the first time since 2010, and marks four quarters of growth for both national and international visitation.

The national visitation statistics were released today, from Tourism Research Australia.

THREE YEAR BREAKDOWN – National Visitor Numbers for The Mackay Region

Year	Quarter	Visitation
2017	Q3 (July – Sept)	908,000
2017	Q2 (Apr – May)	883,000
2017	Q1 (Oct – Dec)	878,000
2016	Q4 (Jul – Sept)	865,000
2016	Q3 (Apr – June)	745,000
2016	Q2 (Jan – Mar)	761,000
2016	Q1 (Oct – Dec)	820,000
2015	Q4 (Jul – Sept)	809,000
2015	Q3 (Apr – June)	865,000
2015	Q2 (Jan – Mar)	863,000
2015	Q1 (Oct – Dec)	781,000

 

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