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Record Visitors Over Easter PeriodVisitor Information Centres across Bass Coast Shire assisted record numbers of visitors over the four days of the extended Easter long weekend. By Bass Coast Shire Council - 21st April 2009 - Back to News According to Council’s Economic Development Manager, Peter Francis, the Phillip Island Visitor Information Centre at Newhaven had its busiest day ever on Easter Saturday, with a staggering 2,370 visitors.
"A total of 7,571 came to the Centre over the long weekend, 63 per cent more than the corresponding period last year," said Mr Francis.
"Overall the Visitor Information Centre network assisted almost 10,000 people across the four Centres over the weekend compared to around 6,100 during Easter last year.
"The trend for increased visitor numbers was consistent right across the Shire," he added.
"As we saw during the summer holidays, there was a huge increase in the number of visitors to mainland parts of the Shire, especially Inverloch," Mr Francis said.
"Visitor numbers at the Inverloch Visitor Information Centre were up by 112 per cent and Wonthaggi had an increase of over 30 per cent compared to Easter last year."
A combination of factors contributed to the record numbers.
"Due to the current financial situation people are choosing to holiday closer to home rather than heading interstate or overseas. Holiday homes are a great option in a these tight financial times.
"There has also been effective marketing and promotion of the region through businesss and tourism parternships with peak industry bodies such as Destination Phillip Island and Destination Gippsland. I am sure the great weather over the long weekend was also a factor.
"With current news dominated by stories about the slowing economy, this is good news for local tourism and business operators," he added.
Source: www.gippsland.com Published by: news@gippsland.com
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