Tourism essential to Mareeba’s trade
A SURVEY by Mareeba organisations has found the bulk of visitors to the Tablelands town are self-drive tourists who stay at least one night in the area and spend more than $500 per person.
The Mareeba Visitor Survey by the Mareeba Chamber of Commerce, Mareeba Heritage Centre and Mareeba Shire Council was conducted in July and August 2019 to better understand the visitor experience in the town and the impact of visitors to the local economy.
Chamber president
Joe
Moro said the findings would be used across a multitude of platforms.
“We have witnessed for a number of years the positive impact tourism is having on the Mareeba economy,” Mr
Moro said. “As a chamber, we wanted some facts and figures to support our views that tourism is a significant contributor to the Mareeba economy.
“The results provide a solid foundation from which we can raise awareness of the contribution tourism makes and help local businesses cater to the needs of visitors.”
The survey found that visitors to Mareeba were most likely to be self-drive tourists (91 per cent), often repeat recreational holiday makers from New South Wales, Victoria and other Queensland areas.
They travelled in their own campervan, caravan and camper trailer, staying for a median of six nights.
“Visitors staying at least one night (74 per cent), spend an average of $641 per person primarily on food and drink, accommodation, mechanical and petrol, cafe and restaurants,” the survey found.
“Visitors passing through spend an average of $56 per person primarily on cafe and restaurants, food and drink, gifts and souvenirs, attractions and tours.”
Food and drink (21 per cent) accounted for most money spent, followed by accommodation (19 per cent), mechanical and petrol (15 per cent) and cafes and restaurants (11 per cent).
Personal knowledge, word of mouth and online and print information was used to plan trips, the survey found.
Mr Moro said aside from providing data about the visitor experience, the survey reinforced the positive visitor experience.
“Nearly all responses (92 per cent) of visitors were complimentary of the friendly community atmosphere, amenities, customer service, accommodation and attractions,” he said.
“It’s our job now to maintain and enhance that experience so visitors return and continue to spend money in Mareeba,” Mr Moro said.
AS A CHAMBER, WE WANTED SOME FACTS AND FIGURES TO SUPPORT OUR VIEWS THAT TOURISM IS A SIGNIFICANT CONTRIBUTOR TO THE MAREEBA ECONOMY.