Tourism is now a $1 billion industry on the Central Coast.
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Tourism expenditure on the Central Coast hit an all-time high of $1.074 billion last financial year, according to figures released by Tourism Research Australia.
The unprecedented figure comes from 1,132,000 extra daytrip and Australian overnight visitors and some $199,000,000 in additional visitor spending in the region.
The latest National Visitor Survey results report that Australian overnight visitor expenditure on the Central Coast grew by 20.7 per cent to $660 million on the previous year, while the number of visitors grew by 15.5 per cent to 1.74 million visitors for the year ending June 2019.
The Central Coast outpaced the 9 per cent growth in visitors to regional NSW as a whole, and outperformed competitor destinations including the South Coast, North Coast and Hunter.
Tourism Central Coast attributes the growth in tourism in the area to its Have a Little Adventure tourism campaign.
The campaign was funded by the region's tourism business community, and Central Coast Council, and was designed to improve perceptions, intention to travel to, and spend in the Central Coast among Sydneysiders.
The campaign was supported by more than $250,000 in investment from Central Coast businesses, including Australian Reptile Park, Accom Holidays, Forestry Corporation of NSW, Ettalong Diggers, George Brand Real Estate, Lakeside Shopping Centre, Mt Penang Gardens, Westfield Tuggerah and Woy Woy Fisherman's Wharf, among 38 participating companies.
Luke Brown, the CEO of Tourism Central Coast's marketing agency Affinity, said the campiagn worked.
"Post-campaign research told us that this campaign was memorable for Sydneysiders. They told us they were going to come and they did!"
Tourism businesses across the Coast also reported strong results for the 2019 financial year.
Jody Kember, the operations manager at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, said it had been a big year.
"We've had a double-digit increase in visitation from Sydneysiders wanting to stay in our refurbished beachfront cabins at Blue Lagoon Beach Resort, and our new waterpark at Shelly Beach has had a really positive impact providing new experiences for visiting families," Ms Kember said.
Al Mare Beachfront Retreat's Gary Holland reported an increase of 7 per cent in visitation by Australian guests to the retreat at The Entrance.
Tourism Central Coast director of industry services and partnerships Russell Mills said the pleasing growth was the result of a very effective strategy.
"Effective, research-driven destination marketing and public relations works, especially in collaboration with tourism businesses who offer the experiences we promote," Mr Mills said.
"The $1 billion figure is a first for the Central Coast, and we're delighted to have worked with our tourism industry to revive visitor growth for our beautiful region."
