More visitors from interstate

Interstate overnight visitation to the Margaret River Busselton region grew by almost 38 per cent in 2018, according to research conducted by the Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association.

The growth is well ahead of State-wide interstate visitation growth of 18 per cent and has renewed calls for the expansion of the Busselton Margaret River Airport.

Margaret River Busselton Tourism Association executive Sharna Kearney said the results were pleasing considering the numbers from interstate markets were flailing 12 months ago.

“It demonstrates a strong desire from east coast markets to visit the region,” she said. “Travel time and cost is a significant factor in the travel decision-making process, so improving access to the region is likely to have a positive impact on visitor numbers.”

City of Busselton Mayor Grant Henley said the region was becoming an increasingly desirable tourist destination among interstate visitors, further increasing the viability of the airport expansion.

“Providing direct flights from the Eastern States to the Busselton Margaret River Airport would support growth in this segment of the tourism market,” he said. “A continuing upward trend in the number of overnight interstate visitors is certainly encouraging and we’d expect this to impact positively on local business.”