Tourism Market Report supports positive forecasting of School Holiday visitation in the Dubbo Region
Dubbo Regional Council’s Tourism Market Report for August 2022 has returned strong data supporting a positive outlook for the upcoming School Holidays.
Data reported by the cross section of accommodation and tourism facilities in Dubbo and Wellington recorded mammoth results in the on year on year comparison, showing good return of visitor spend across the Region’s economy.
Significantly, the data also reported strong increases on the four year comparative data showing a positive upward trend in visitation and consumer investment in tourism product across the Dubbo Region.
Dubbo Regional Council Mayor, Councillor Mathew Dickerson, said that the numbers are a result of the consistency of marketing and ongoing commitment of Council and tourism industry staff to visitors and visitor product in the Region.
“The data for August shows strong increases in occupancy of 21.7% in Dubbo and 15.2% in Wellington in comparison to the four year accommodation average. These fantastic numbers are a reflection not only of the great product we have across the Region, but also the increasing number of visitation drivers, such as events and visiting workforce for major projects, including the Renewable Energy Zone in Wellington” he said.
“Major tourism attractions like Taronga Western Plains Zoo, reported an almost 32% increase in visitors and Old Dubbo Gaol saw an increase of 47% for the same period.
“The year on year numbers, obviously noting the impact of lockdowns skewing the annual reporting comparison are impressive, with 553% and 1138% increases for the Zoo and the Old Dubbo Gaol respectively.
“The Great Big Adventure Pass is a relatively new packaged product that is designed to be purchased prior to arriving in the Region and as a marketing conversion tool, it has no four year comparison due to its age in market, but saw an increase year on year for August of 1,192%.” the Mayor said.
Visitor Information Centre Team Leader Jane Bendall said that accommodation operators noted the increase of school bookings and group tours during the month of August.
“Operators are busy and enjoying the return of guests in the Region’s accommodation and tourism businesses.
“We also saw some major events return in August, including the Golden Oldie Truck and Tractor Show, the Dubbo Stampede and the National Merino Show and Sale attracting an estimated 3,900 event goers.
“We are expecting a really positive school holidays, with great enquiries through the Centre’s off the back of some major marketing campaigns in the lead up, notably the recent targeted partnership between the Great Big Adventure Pass and Australian Traveller’s Green Edition” Ms Bendall said.
Last Edited: 30 Sep 2022