INTERNATIONAL TOURISTS STAY LONGER IN MACKAY

International visitors are spending more time in Mackay as business travel drives up tourism in the region, new figures show.

Tourism Minister Margaret Keech said the number of nights spent in Mackay by international tourists has increased by 22 per cent, according to the latest International Visitor Survey (IVS) results.

Mrs Keech said the research for the year ending December 2006 showed the increase was driven largely by the business market and travellers visiting friends and relatives.

“The region is cementing itself as one of Queensland’s top destinations,” Mrs Keech said.

Mrs Keech said the strong results were driven by healthy increases from Germany and Europe which are both in the top five markets for the region.

“Mackay is very popular with the Germans,” Mrs Keech said.

“Visitors from this market represented 18 per cent of the overall number of international visitors to the region, as well as eight per cent of visitor nights.

“This is a visitor increase of three per cent and visitor night increase of 28 per cent from last year.”

Mrs Keech said it was easy to see why 42,992 international visitors chose Mackay as their destination in 2006.

“Mackay is an inviting blend of secluded beaches, elusive wildlife and rural communities,” Mrs Keech said.

“Who wouldn’t love the tropical ambience of this region?”

Mrs Keech said the great results were a testament to the hard work being done by Tourism Queensland, Mackay Tourism and industry in these markets.

“It is great to see the effort paying off in the Mackay region,” Mrs Keech said.

“More importantly, the result equals real economic returns and more job opportunities for Queensland communities.

“Tourism is Queensland’s second biggest export industry putting more than $3.19 billion into Queenslanders’ pockets every year.”

Media Contact: Jo Gibbons 3224 2007 or David Smith 3225 1005