Aussies loving a holiday in Hinkler

Tourism figures released today show Hinkler is proving popular for Aussie holidaymakers. 

While 560,000 domestic tourists visited Bundaberg and spent $232 million last year, 596,000 domestic tourists visited the Fraser Coast and spent $269 million, creating local jobs and driving economic growth. 

Federal Member for Hinkler Keith Pitt said today’s National Visitor Survey was great news for the region’s tourism industry. 

“From the turtles nesting and hatching at Mon Repos to the whale watching in Hervey Bay, there is so much on offer in Hinkler,” he said.  

“It’s fantastic to see more Australians choosing to visit Hinkler as this means more local tourism jobs and a healthy boost to our economy.”

Produced by Tourism Research Australia, the survey shows domestic tourists visiting Bundaberg have increased by 6 percent over the previous three years to December 2016, and an increase of 14 percent for the Fraser Coast in the same period.

Domestic visitors spent 2,040,000 nights in Bundaberg – an increase of 18 percent over the previous three years – and 2,583,000 on the Fraser Coast – an increase of 37 percent – with an average four-night stay.

“The Coalition Government remains focused on tourism, with our vibrant tourism sector forecast to continue its growth trajectory over the next decade,” Mr Pitt said. 

“The survey shows tourism across Australia was worth a record $100 billion in the year ending December 2016 – up 5.6 per cent on the previous year.

“The Coalition Government is supporting further growth in the Australian tourism industry, including by: investing a record $639 million in Tourism Australia to market Australia abroad; negotiating the world’s best aviation access agreements; and introducing visitor visa improvements.”

The National Visitor Survey is available on the Tourism Research Australia website: www.tra.gov.au