More tourists visiting Fraser Coast and Bundaberg

More international and national visitors are exploring the Fraser Coast and Bundaberg regions spending more at local businesses, resulting in a stronger local economy and more jobs.

Local Member for Hinkler, Keith Pitt MP, said today’s International Visitor Survey data release reveals our total national and international visitors for the region has topped 1,556,000 visitors spending a total of $795 million.

“We’ve seen 190,000 overseas visitors flocking to Bundaberg and Hervey Bay, spending $87million in the year to March 2018,” Mr Pitt said.

However, the data also reveals strong domestic tourism as well with a total of 1,366,000 local visitors holidaying in the electorate, spending $708 million.

“The 12 months has seen a larger percentage increase in domestic tourists to Fraser Coast with a 21% increase in the year while Bundaberg has seen a larger increase in international tourists, up 15%.

“Whether tourists are from overseas or from Australia, they are booking accommodation, flights, visiting tourist attractions, buying meals and fuel which all adds up to money in our local economy and jobs for local people,” Mr Pitt said.

It was a testament to the local people who work in tourism and hospitality, he said, that work tirelessly to improve visitor experiences.

“We have amazing tourism experiences from whale watching and turtles to the Bundaberg Rum Distillery and the Barrel, food tours, beaches and Fraser Island.  Who wouldn’t want to holiday here?” Mr Pitt said.

The IVS reveals spending by international tourists has also grown by six per cent to a record $42.3 billion. Combined with the $65.1 billion spent by domestic tourists, revealed in last month’s National Visitor Survey (NVS), total overnight visitor spending reached a record $107.4 billion for the year to March 2018.

The IVS is available on the Tourism Research Australia website: www.tra.gov.au