Record breaking visitor numbers for the Peel region

Pic: Supplied

Latest visitor statistics show more than 2.8 million people chose Mandurah and the Peel Region as a day trip destination in 2017/18.

Latest visitor statistics show more than 2.8 million people chose Mandurah and the Peel Region as a day trip destination in 2017/18.

The figures are part of Tourism Research Australia’s National Visitor Survey for the 12 months to June 2018.

Mandurah and Peel Tourism Organisation (MAPTO) CEO, Karen Priest, said that’s half a million more day trippers than the year before.

“This is a fantastic result which represents a 23 per cent increase,” Ms Priest said.

“While our marketing campaigns and PR activity have had an important role to play, I believe the jump in numbers is also attributable to the ever increasing range and quality of tourism offerings in the region, as well as new infrastructure such as the re-developed Mandurah Forum”.

Local operators say they have certainly noticed an increase in out of town visitors.

The Redmanna Waterfront Restaurant’s Jason Hutchen said he has definitely noticed an increase in day trippers lunching at the restaurant.

“A lot of people catch the train down from Perth or Mandurah, or come up from Bunbury, particularly on Sundays. We seem to be a popular meeting spot for friends living north and south who looking for a half way point to meet,” Mr Hutchen said.

The Peninsula’s Kevin Smith said they have definitely noticed a pick up in the lunch time crowd, particularly on weekends and public holidays.

“As well as the increase in day trippers, I think it can be attributed to a mixture of things including some new marketing ventures as well as relationships we have with other tourism businesses such as Mandurah Cruises,” Mr Smith said.

The number of nights domestic (interstate and intrastate) visitors stayed in the Peel Region also increased in 2017/18, up 20 percent to 2.4 million.

“An increase in visitor numbers is great for the whole region, not just tourism and hospitality businesses,” Ms Priest said.

“Visitors use a variety of services and shop at a range of retail outlets, meaning the flow on benefits are wide reaching.”

Ms Priest has recently visited Indonesia and China as part of MAPTO’s promotion of the region in key international markets. 2017/18 international visitor statistics are due for release before the end of the year.

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