Thursday, January 4, 2024

Issue:

Mackay and Whitsunday Life

The Whitsundays Popularity Stays High

New data by the National and International Visitor Survey (NVS and IVS) has highlighted the incredible captivation that visitors find with the Whitsundays.

As of September 30, 2023, domestically, the Whitsundays saw 513,000 visitors, an increase of 15.8 per cent over the past three years, with 266,000 or 36.6 per cent, from interstate.

On average, visitors stayed 4.2 nights, down by 1.3 nights over three years, however, spending has increased, with $1.3 billion expenditure, a 28.4 per cent increase over the three years.

Internationally, visitor numbers have jumped from 68,000 to 102,000, from the previous quarter.

This increase coincides with increased stays, with international visitors staying for an average of 8.2 nights, 1.9 nights longer than 2019.

By far, United Kingdom visitors are most popular, with 26,000 arrivals, while North American and German visitor numbers steadily increasing.

Tourism Whitsundays CEO Rick Hamilton commends the region's resilience and strong return in visitor numbers.

"While not record-breaking this time, these results solidify The Whitsundays' position as an unmatched holiday destination,” he said.

We're seeing a slight shift in length of stay as economic factors influence holiday budgets and duration. However, the Overnight Visitor Expenditure and visitor numbers remain strong, showcasing the enduring appeal of our region. We're incredibly proud of our world-class operators and businesses who continue to deliver exceptional experiences for all visitors, regardless of their budget."

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