26 Sept 2007 - Visitor Nights Continue to Grow

Visitors to the Coffs Coast spent more than $355 million in the region last year and stayed for a total of 3.5 million nights.

"The tourism sector is major contributor to the city's and region's economic health so it is encouraging to see the growth trend continue," said Stephen Sawtell, Coffs Harbour City Council's General Manager.

Council has long supported promotion of the region under the Coffs Coast brand and is now exploring a formal relationship in its draft Tourism Strategy with neighbouring Bellingen and Nambucca Shire Councils to further promote the destination for mutual benefit.

The annual National Visitor Survey is carried out by Tourism Research Australia.

Coffs Coast's Marketing Manager Rob Cleary said that the results for 2006/2007 revealed a 10.6% increase in the number of nights visitors spent in the region.

"A combination of consistent promotion of the region as Coffs Coast in partnership with Tourism NSW, Tourism Australia and industry operators appears to be paying dividends," he said.

"By 'hunting in a pack' we are more likely to succeed as we then have a greater financial resource, offer a wider range and diversity of visitor experiences and present greater value for money for visitors and industry partners alike."

Mr Cleary said that an often forgotten, but vital ingredient for attracting visitors, is the warm welcome and friendly hospitality provided by the wider community.

"Making visitors feel welcome as if they are a guest in our own home is crucial. Much of the success of this year's Ulysses AGM, for example, was down to the very warm welcome all the members received wherever they went," he said.

"Positive word-of-mouth promotion is invaluable, but it cannot be bought - it has to be earned.

"It should also be remembered that visitor spending benefits not just front line tourism businesses, but has many indirect, positive, flow-on benefits for businesses not often thought to be in tourism. These include accountants, bankers, butchers and bakers, food wholesalers and retailers, laundry services, fuel suppliers and many more.

"Tourism is truly everyone's business on Coffs Coast."

Visit the Coffs Coast tourism website