MOORABOOL tourism operators are crowing after the shire’s visitor numbers jumped 40per cent, according to new figures from Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Regional Tourism.
More than 427,000 people visited Moorabool in the year to March.
The shire experienced the highest percentage of growth across the region, up 63 per cent since 2008, with Moorabool receiving 12.5 per cent of total visitors to the tourism area.
The number of people visiting Bacchus Marsh Visitor Information Centre also rose by an average of 17per cent over the past three years. Hume (14.8per cent), Hepburn (13.7per cent) and Macedon (7per cent) had much smaller overall visitor number increases.
Daylesford and Macedon Ranges Regional Tourism chief executive Kerry I’Anson said there were 69,000 overnight visitors for the year, with all visitors pumping $60million into the local economy.
She said overnight visitors were crucial to the local industry. “The average overnight visitor will stay two or three nights and spend $160 per night.”
Tourism Minister Louise Asher said Moorabool’s impressive figures were driven by domestic day trips, up 46.5per cent to 356,000. Moorabool mayor Pat Griffin said
the council had been proactive in promoting the region to visitors. “It’s also a reflection of the terrific work by local tourism authorities, businesses, accommodation providers and the shire’s people who are so welcoming.”
Strawberries and Cherries Festival committee member Allan Comrie said the growing visitor numbers was reflected in increased patronage for the event.
“Our numbers are increasing every year,” he said. “We’ve also heard from businesses that visitations have actually been higher the following week. Visitors are telling their friends, who are coming to the area the following weekend.”
