The latest National Visitor Survey results from Tourism Research Australia show strong tourism growth through the region.
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The overall survey showed more Aussies than ever choosing to holiday in their own backyard.
In the year to March Australians took 109 million overnight trips and spent a record $75 million which was a 14 per cent increase.
Interestingly over half of all domestic overnight holidays involved outdoor or nature-based activities outside capital cities.
"We think there is a growth in nature based tourism from people wanting to experience the great outdoors as well as the growing interest in health and fitness," she said.
"It is good for us all on the South Coast which is a nature and soft adventure playground. The theme fits in well with the South Coast Unspoilt Campaign. We have been pushing bushwalking at Macquarie Pass and the coastal walks we have here".
Ms Johnston said the completion of Shell Cove Marine will only add another element to Shellharbour's appeal.
Ms Johnston said the new marina will attract another group of people interested in marine and nautical tourism.
And something the city will start to market soon. "I am very excited about that".
Overnight visitor spending in Australia has now reached a record $118.9 billion.
The latest figures for the South Coast also show a steady increase with more than 3.5 million overnight visitors spending $2.4 million.
Combining domestic overnight, domestic day and international visitation the South Coast attracted more than 9.8 million visitors in 2015.
And thy stayed almost 15 million nights. Of those 5.4 million visitors said they were in the region for a holiday and 3.9 million were visiting family and friends. And 9.23 million traveled to the region by car.
Food and wine was the most popular activity with 5.54 million visitors indulging in local South Coast produce.
Adult couples were the most common travelling group and the 55 plus was the most common age group however there was a fairly even distribution across all age demographics.
2017 figures show Wollongong attracted a total 3.6 million visitors for the year, Shoalhaven 2.7 million, Wingecarribee 1.6 million, Eurobodalla 1.2 million, Kiama 1.1 million and Shellharbour 429,000.
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Greg Ellis
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
Almost four decades in electronic, print and digital media. A writer, presenter, emcee, photographer and videographer with degrees in business management, marketing and human resources and tertiary qualifications in photography.
