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Bass Coast Attracts More Visitors Than Ever

This year, Bass Coast Visitor Information Centres experienced their busiest January on record.

By Bass Coast - 27th February 2007 - Back to News

35,360 people visited the four Information Centres across the Shire during January 2007. This is 1,761 more than the previous busiest January in 2003.

Council’s Visitor Services Manager Peter Francis said he believed a number of factors contributed to the increase in visitor numbers.

"We had very stable and warm weather over January," said Mr Francis.

"Temperatures were between 1 and 2 degrees above the average and that certainly encouraged people to visit the coast.

Mr Francis believed the bushfires in Gippsland also had an effect on holiday numbers to the area.

"The fires prevented people holidaying in or travelling through some of the other regions in the State," said Mr Francis.

"It does seem that some people changed their holiday plans because of the fires.

"I think the drought also had an impact, "continued Mr Francis.

"Some of the traditional inland waterway destinations have been severely affected, which probably meant people decided to visit the coast instead."

Mr Francis said the work of local organisations in promoting the region, as well as the standard of accommodation and attractions on offer contributed to the increased visitor numbers.

Comparison of Visitor Numbers - January '07 vs January '06

Comparison of Visitor Numbers - YTD '07 vs YTD '06 (July to Jan)

The Visitor Information Centres also benefited from the implementation this year of an online booking system, Bookeasy. The new system allows the Centres to book accommodation and sell tickets to local attractions. Previously, the centres at Cowes, Inverloch and Wonthaggi had manual systems in place.

"The online system had the biggest impact on Phillip Island," said Mr Francis.

"Ticket sales were up by 22% compared to January last year.

"Sales at the Inverloch and Wonthaggi Centres also increased significantly.

"Bookeasy has made a big difference to the number and value of accommodation bookings made through the Visitor Centres," continued Mr Francis.

"For January alone, there was a 19% increase compared to last year.

Anyone wishing to contact Bass Coast Visitor Information Centres should call 1300 366 422.

Source: www.gippsland.com

Published by: news@gippsland.com

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