International visitors flock to Mackay
More international visitors are putting The Mackay Region on their Australian holiday bucket list, with increases in international visitor numbers continuing in 2017.
The latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) results* as published by Tourism & Events Queensland for the year ending March 2017, has shown another increase on top of positive spikes in 2016.
The Mackay Region has recorded a total of 48,000 international visitors year on year, an increase of 13.6 per cent. The exciting development is that 36,000 are visiting purely for a holiday, which shows an increase of 27.9 per cent for this type of visit. The rest are either business or Visiting Friends and Relatives (VFR).
The increase in holiday visitation, has also resulted in an increase in length of stay, increasing 38.2 per cent to a total of 175,000 nights across the year.
The top countries visiting Mackay are Germany (with 9,000 visitors per year) and New Zealand (7,000 visitors per year).
General Manager of Mackay Tourism, Tas Webber, says the statistics have shown this growth is not just a ‘one-off’.
“We’ve seen international visitor statistics for the holiday market increase over the last 12 months, which has also been supported by the increase through our Visitor Information Centre.”
“We’re ecstatic with these results; it means The Mackay Region is becoming part of people’s holidays plans as a must-visit destination, not just nationally but internationally.”
Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson said the increase in visitor numbers were positive for the entire region.
“Tourism is an important pillar in the local community. Increases in visitor numbers means an extra boost to the local economy, more beds occupied, more support for restaurants and cafes and more people sharing their experiences with family and friends,” Cr Williamson said.
“The Mackay Region has the greatest ambassadors – our locals – who are supporting and sharing the experiences and beauty of the region with others.”
Notes
Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ) provides tourism research and insights to a variety of stakeholders which can assist decision-making and strategy development.
As part of this, TEQ manages the analysis and publication of results for Queensland based on major national tourism surveys: the National Visitor Survey, International Visitor Survey, Survey of Tourist Accommodation and Overseas Arrivals and Departures.
Contact:
Melissa Woods - Communications Officer
0448 994 180
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Published: 7 June 2017