International tourism boost for Mackay
Published Friday, 07 March, 2008 at 03:29 PM
Minister for Tourism, Regional Development and Industry
The Honourable Desley Boyle
The number of international visitors to Mackay jumped by more than 30 per cent, the latest International Visitor Survey for the year to December 2007 shows.
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said more international visitors had come to Mackay in the past year, and the number of visitor nights had also increased.
“These figures show Mackay is becoming an increasingly popular destination for overseas travellers,” Ms Boyle said.
“Last year 57,000 international visitors spent 293,000 nights in the region.
“This was a significant 32.2 per cent increase in visitor numbers from 2006 and a 31.7 per cent increase in nights.
“Such success is a credit to the hard work of Tourism Queensland, Mackay Tourism and the local tourism industry.”
Ms Boyle said international tourists were increasingly looking for new and different experiences and destinations, particularly exploring the state’s unique natural environment – a fact that Tourism Queensland was capitalising on in its international marketing activities.
“Mackay is characterised by beautiful national parks, picturesque rural areas, close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and of course, its friendly locals.
“The recent floods and bad weather has meant locals and businesses in the region have faced a challenging few months, none more so than in the tourism industry.
“Hopefully these positive results will provide the industry with some well-deserved positive news,” she said.
Mackay International Visitor Snapshot
(Year ending December 2007):
• Visitors – 57,000 people: up 32.2%
• Visitor Nights – 293,000: up 31.7%
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
7 March 2008
Tourism Minister Desley Boyle said more international visitors had come to Mackay in the past year, and the number of visitor nights had also increased.
“These figures show Mackay is becoming an increasingly popular destination for overseas travellers,” Ms Boyle said.
“Last year 57,000 international visitors spent 293,000 nights in the region.
“This was a significant 32.2 per cent increase in visitor numbers from 2006 and a 31.7 per cent increase in nights.
“Such success is a credit to the hard work of Tourism Queensland, Mackay Tourism and the local tourism industry.”
Ms Boyle said international tourists were increasingly looking for new and different experiences and destinations, particularly exploring the state’s unique natural environment – a fact that Tourism Queensland was capitalising on in its international marketing activities.
“Mackay is characterised by beautiful national parks, picturesque rural areas, close proximity to the Great Barrier Reef and of course, its friendly locals.
“The recent floods and bad weather has meant locals and businesses in the region have faced a challenging few months, none more so than in the tourism industry.
“Hopefully these positive results will provide the industry with some well-deserved positive news,” she said.
Mackay International Visitor Snapshot
(Year ending December 2007):
• Visitors – 57,000 people: up 32.2%
• Visitor Nights – 293,000: up 31.7%
Ends
Media contact: 3224 2007 or 3225 1005
Tourism Queensland: 3535 5010
7 March 2008