A record number of people have visited the Bowen Visitor Information Centre in 2023 – smashing the previous year by more than 25%.The Visitor Information Centre next to the iconic Big Mango and the Information Booth next to the Little Mango at Bowen’s Front Beach are both operated by the team of staff and volunteers from Bowen Tourism and Business.For the first time in history, the team has welcomed more than 50,000 visitors this year.Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy said the busiest months had been June and July when the team had welcomed more than 15,800 visitors in those two months alone.“Traditionally, the winter months are the busiest, but this year has been busier than ever with the number increasing every month of the year compared to 2022.“By the end of November, we had already welcomed more than 52,000 people – so the average will end up being well above 1000 people every week of the year.“This is great news for Bowen as the more people who visit the centre, the more who make the trip off the highway and into Bowen,” she said.“It is also great news for the greater Whitsunday region as we are a booking agency so many people travelling from the north stop to see us, enjoy a delicious mango sorbet, and get a selfie at the iconic Big Mango.“While here, they are able to book their reef trips and other tours based from Airlie Beach.”Chair of Bowen Tourism and Business, Jenn Honnery said the significant increase in visitors to the Information Centre and Booth was a direct result of the effort by the team to promote Bowen to a national audience.“Behind the scenes our team of staff and volunteers work incredibly hard to ensure Bowen is on the radar for potential visitors. Once our visitors arrive they are greeted with a warm smile and expert knowledge of all there is to experience in Bowen and the wider region. “This dedication to our destination translates directly to increased visitor spend in Bowen and a boost for all local businesses.“I’d like to congratulate the team on this impressive achievement.”
QUICK FACTS*More than 52,000 visitors in 2023 up until the end of November.*Busiest month of 2023 was June – 6934 welcomed at Big Mango and 1124 welcomed at information booth at Bowen’s Front Beach.*Highlight of the year was the Big Mango’s 21st birthday in May*Bowen’s Big Mango was built in 2002 and is 10 metres high*More than 1.5 million people have had a selfie at the Big Mango in the past 21 years.
Manager of Bowen Tourism and Business, Leanne Abernethy with the Sortino family from Melbourne and Visitor Information Centre volunteer, Steve Fisher last week. Photo supplied
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