NEW data showing an increase in international tourists visiting the Great Ocean Road has reinforced the need to improve infrastructure at the Twelve Apostles, tourism insiders say.
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The Great Ocean Road recorded an increase of 16 per cent in overnight visitors for the 12 months to March.
Victoria Tourism Industry Council chief executive Brad Ostermeyer told The Standard the increase was welcome news but more needed to be done to encourage visitors to stay longer in regional Victoria and spend more.
He said 2.7 million tourists had visited the state in the 12 months to March which saw an expenditure of $7.3 billion. But Mr Ostermeyer said just seven cents from every tourism dollar generated by an international overnight visitor was spent in regional Victoria.
He said 40 per cent of tourists who travelled to regional Victoria visited the Great Ocean Road.
“It’s an iconic destination,” he said. “It has had a 16-per cent increase in 12 months. The facilities there are struggling to cope.”
Mr Ostermeyer said it was crucial the Shipwreck Coast Masterplan received appropriate funding if the Twelve Apostles was going to meet the tourist demand.
Port Campbell Touring Company owner John McInerney echoed Mr Ostermeyer and said the Twelve Apostles were an example of why visitors didn’t stay in regional Victoria.
“I’m at the Twelve Apostles four or five days a week and about 80 per cent of the people there are international visitors,” he said. “We’re missing out on the spend though. It’s great for Melbourne but not great for here.”
Minister for Tourism and Major Events John Eren said the results were a vote of confidence in regional communities, with growth rates well above the national average for visitation, spend and nights. Spending by tourists in regional Victoria was up by 28.2 per cent compared to the national average growth of 4.7 per cent. Mr Eren said many regions relied on the money and time tourists spent in their communities, which was why the government was working to attract more visitors by supporting local businesses.
