As the Christmas and New Year school holidays come to an end, businesses around Dungog are counting the cash after another successful year.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
or signup to continue reading
Over 380 visitors went through the doors of Dungog's Tourist Information Centre during the holiday period, Dungog Council's Tourism Development Officer Belinda Blanch said.
She said there were many visitors in Dungog prior to Christmas as well, arriving to visit friends and family and attending the information centre to find out what was on in town during the festive season.
"Of course there were many holiday makers who were having a good old Aussie Bush Camp Christmas. The number of visitors to the information centre don't indicate the exact number of visitors there were to the region during this time, as not all visitors call into the information centre," Ms Blanch said.
Ms Blanch said that these numbers reflect a steady growth in the number of tourists visiting the Dungog region.
She also said that the increase in visitors is reflected through the improvements being made to the information centre.
"Tourism numbers are growing steadily as we gradually move past the impact of COVID shut downs. The improvements to the services in the information centre undertaken over the past 12 months also help," Ms Blanch said.
New president of the Dungog and District Chamber of Commerce, Therese McIntyre said that this growth in tourists has also been felt by the businesses across town.
After conducting a survey of businesses across the shire, McIntyre said that all the businesses she spoke to had a really positive Christmas.
"We did a bit of a survey and the results which have come in from those who have replied so far have been really positive, especially the Christmas feature that we did," Ms McIntyre said.
"There was also some really good flow on business which is good to hear.
"That means it's not just a one-off day positive growth, there was also a spin off to that. They might get some exposure, people seeing what they've got."
After such a successful Christmas period, Ms McIntyre said that businesses around town are feeling very positive.
The feedback that the businesses across town have received show that Dungog is becoming a key destination.
"It's reinforcing us as a tourist destination which is what we've been advocating for for a long time," Ms McIntyre said.
"My attitude and that of the members of the chamber that I've spoken to is that Dungog is growing and thriving, this just confirms that."
Angus Michie
Angus Michie is a reporter with the Dungog Chronicle. He has an interest in community and council reporting.
Angus Michie is a reporter with the Dungog Chronicle. He has an interest in community and council reporting.
