Snowy Valleys Enjoys Record Visitor Numbers

Published on 11 June 2018

According to statistics released by Tourism Research Australia, the Snowy Valleys region hosted more than 440,000 visitors in 2017 and more than 190,000 domestic visitors stayed overnight — both figures shattering previous records.

“The Snowy Valleys region is really starting to capture a lot of people’s attention as a tourism destination,” said Robert Cox, Acting Director Strategy, Community and Development for Snowy Valleys Council.

“This is a great achievement for Snowy Valleys and is a credit to all the hard work everyone in the community has made from businesses, residents and organisations,” Mr Cox said. 

 “The Snowy Valleys community should also be congratulated on the commitment and support of local festivals and events that are helping to build a strong economy and vibrant community,” Mr Cox said.

• Domestic overnight visitors spent an estimated 706,000 nights in the Snowy Valleys LGA in 2017
• Average length of stay was 3.7 nights - 1.5 nights longer than in 2016
• In contrast to Snowy Valleys, visitor nights in the Market Reference Group* did not grow in 2017
• Snowy Valleys market share of the Reference Group* is 26.3%  - more than double that of 2016

*Market Reference Group comprises Greater Hume, Gundagai, Towong, Wagga Wagga, Yass Valley + SVC

Mr Cox said, “The results from the 2017 visitor survey are a great outcome for Snowy Valleys and an indication of what can be achieved in promoting the Snowy Valleys region to the wider population.”

Council is currently working to finalise its new Destination Management Plan and Visitor Service Strategy, documents which will outline and drive Council’s vision for tourism in the Snowy Valleys over the next four years.

Mr Cox said collectively the DMP and VSS establish clear direction for destination development and Council’s vision for the future.

“The DMP includes strategies to maintain and grow existing tourist markets, to encourage repeat visitation and increase the length of visitor stay, while the Visitor Services Strategy considers more broadly how to grow the visitor economy,” Mr Cox said.

It is expected that the Snowy Valleys Destination Management Plan and Visitor Service Strategy will be presented for adoption at the Ordinary Meeting of Snowy Valleys Council to be held on Thursday 28 June.