Mackay Firmly Established as a Tourism Destination
The Mackay Region’s reputation as a nationally and internationally desired tourism destination has been recognised with strong visitation and expenditure figures being recorded in the latest International and National Visitor Survey (IVS & NVS).
Released today, the IVS and NVS recorded yet more growth for Mackay’s tourism industry with a record 1.1 million domestic and 55,000 visitors to The Mackay Region for year ending June 2019.
Highlighting the remarkable success of tourism, these visitor numbers represent three-year trend increases of 13.3 per cent and 9.6 per cent for domestic and international visitation respectively.
Signifying tourism’s valuable contribution to The Mackay Region’s economy, today’s announcement reported domestic visitor expenditure to have increased year-on-year by 40 per cent to $566.5million. International visitor expenditure also saw significant growth of 39 per cent year-on-year to $22.2million.
Congratulating the region’s tourism operators is Mackay Regional Council Mayor Greg Williamson.
“Achieving an average year-on-year increase of 40 per cent for international and domestic visitor expenditure is a clear indication that the Mackay Region has become a ‘must visit’ tourism destination,” he said.
Mayor Williamson continued, “Mackay Regional Council contributes to the development of tourism as a key pillar of the region’s economy, through support of Mackay Tourism, infrastructure projects including the state-of-the-art Mackay Aquatic and Recreation Complex and hosting of events including River Sessions 2019 that attract visitation and add to the region’s appeal.”
“As a community, we should all be proud to welcome an ever-increasing number of visitors, all of whom are seeking to share in what makes our region so great,” said Mayor Williamson.
Driving tourism’s contribution to the local economy, were double digit increases in average spend per visitor for domestic visitors, now at $516 and international visitors to $407.
Domestic and international visitors have also increasingly sort out The Mackay Region specifically for holiday visitation, with a 34.7 per cent increase being recorded for domestic holiday visitation.
A popular choice for visitors to The Mackay Region is Hay Point Country Bed and Breakfast. Its owner Judy Langdon has noticed the solid growth in visitors to region.
“Hay Point Country Bed and Breakfast exemplifies in many ways, the relaxed, friendly and nature-based qualities that define The Mackay Region. Our guests are always full of praise for the natural beauty of our region” she said.
Mrs Langdon stated, “It’s a very exciting time to be a tourism business in The Mackay Region. Today’s announcement of record visitor numbers and expenditure comes as little surprise as each day businesses like mine welcome new faces from across Queensland, Australia and the world.”
Mackay Tourism General Manager Tas Webber welcomed today’s announcement.
“Mackay’s stellar rise as a tourism destination shows no sign of stopping. Our region has so much to offer visitors, from our iconic wildlife and nature-based experiences, to events and of course our tropical climate and friendly community,” said Mr Webber.
He continued by saying, “As The Mackay Region becomes ever more attractive to domestic and international visitors looking for a holiday, so too will it for investors.”
“What Mackay Tourism is seeking and looking to support, are investors who are willing to start up touring products to take advantage of the region’s considerable assets such as the Net Free Fishing Zone, the Pioneer Valley or our blue water river,” Mr Webber explained.
Full results of the NVS and IVS are available from Tourism Research Australia.
ENDS
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Published: 9 October 2019