ALBURY attracted the best part of two million visitors in a year, making it one of the most popular destinations on the Murray River.
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National visitor survey figures show the twin cities enjoyed a huge 26.9 per cent lift in overnight stays in the year ending September 30, compared with a year earlier.
And the 1.8 million visitors to the cities spent $353 million.
The survey showed visitors to the Murray region as a whole rose 6.9 per cent — to 5.5 million people — and they are estimated to have spent $1.5 billion.
Murray Regional Tourism’s chief executive Mark Francis said this year’s data was based on “a broader demographic” giving a more accurate picture.
“There has been a change to the way the data is collected,” Mr Francis said.
“We’ve been tracking the number of visitors for 18 months and have seen a gradual incline.
“More people have been encouraged to book online in real time and a digital program encouraging online bookings has helped bring in more tourists.
“We have also encouraged collaboration across the region.
“More information about things to see and do across region encourages people to stay longer or visit again and that increases their spend per day.
“Essentially, we are trying to do all the work for people.”
The border towns of Echuca and Moama also had a 26.9 per cent lift in overnight stays — their 1.28 million visitors spent $320 million, the survey showed.
Those visiting Mildura were heavier spenders — its 790,000 visitors parted with $324 million — while Sun Country, based on Cobram-Barooga, played host to more than 1 million visitors who, the survey said, spent $304 million.
President of the Albury Wodonga Moteliers Association and owner of Stagecoach Motel Damien Robinson said the region had many solid tourist assets.
“We are well placed from capital cities with the freeway connecting them,” he said.
“And the councils have become much more active in promotion.”
“We have enormous lakes and rivers for water sports, snow sports in winter, and we have an airport as well.
“The new Quest Hotel in Wodonga should bring in more people.
“More people visiting means more motel rooms will be needed.”
About half of the cities’ overnight visitors were in the region for holidays and leisure and 36.6 per cent to visit family and friends.
