MS JARRATT ASKED THE MINISTER FOR TOURISM AND FAIR TRADING (MR LAWLOR) —
QUESTION:
Will the Minister provide an update on the increase in camping and caravanning tourism in the Whitsunday Region?
ANSWER:
The total number of visitors nights spent in the Whitsundays was approximately 3 million (made up of 1.3 million international and 1.7 million domestic) in the year ended December 2009.
The number of visitor nights spent in the Whitsundays in a caravan park and/or commercial camping ground in the year ended December 2009 was:
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34,000 international visitors (this remained steady from the year ended December 2008) who spent a total of 166,000 visitor nights (this was an increase of 7% from the previous year) with an average length of stay of 4.9 nights.
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28,300 domestic visitors who spent a total of 85,500 visitor nights with the average length of stay of 3 nights. Domestic statistical data on the percentage change between the year ending December 2009 vs. year ending December 2008 is not available.
Camping and caravanning is an affordable holiday option for both domestic and international visitors. Because they spend less on accommodation, these travellers often spend longer in a region, contributing more to the overall regional economy and supporting local businesses. An action under the Mackay Whitsunday Tourism Opportunity Plan is to increase the number of caravan and camping sites in the Whitsunday region. State and local governments are working together to progress this.
Source: International Visitor Survey and Domestic Visitor Survey, Tourism Research Australia
