Positive outlook on tourism as visitors continue to flock to Bathurst

Travel and tourism took a massive hit in 2020 due to COVID-19 restrictions, but as domestic travel became possible again, Bathurst and other regional areas reaped the benefits.

Bathurst Regional Council's tourism and visitor services manager, Dan Cove, said the momentum has continued into the new year.

"We started the year unbelievably strongly - the summer holiday period was record setting in every possible sense of the word," he said.

"We've never had numbers through the visitor centre like that over summer, never sold as much as we did over summer, attractions such as Abercrombie House and the museums were breaking all records for attendance.

"It was fantastic, and it's been sustained. Obviously things have quietened down a wee bit in February and March, as they always do, but the event calendar's back, so events are strong ... it's bringing a lot of interest and excitement to town."

This weekend will see cyclists travel to the city for the Bathurst Cycling Classic and the event coincides with the start of the Autumn Colours Program, which was launched on Tuesday.

READ MORE: Autumn Colours Program launches with hopes of attracting visitors

Thanks to an easing of restrictions, Bathurst's annual event calendar is looking somewhat normal and, with international travel likely to be off the table for some time, it puts the region in a strong position to attract more visitors.

"The future is looking really good," Mr Cove said.

"Interest is already building for the next set of school holidays, it's building for autumn, tickets are selling for events; we're confident that we'll do what we can to capitalise on this opportunity."

Mr Cove said that it was early on in the pandemic, when the future of international travel became more clear, that council realised it would have a good opportunity when it came to tourism.

Still, it was a bit of surprise when records were broken.

The visitor information centre achieved its highest monthly retail sales ever in December 2020 and saw a 40 per cent increase in visitation over the Christmas period.

READ MORE: Latest visitation numbers for museums prove promotion is working

Mr Cove said visitors want to speak to locals to find out the best places to eat and visit, and are very interested in the villages and the self-drive touring they can do.

"It seems to be a fairly authentic form of travel people are after at the moment; no one is coming in asking where the best Instagram or selfie spots are these days, they're actually really looking for that immersive experience," he said.

With that level of interest, he is hopeful that more records can be broken.

"We'll certainly try. I don't think it's impossible," Mr Cove said.

"Bathurst works with Orange and Cowra and all our partners across the Central West; we're trying to grow the region as a really dedicated tourism region in the same way that Blue Mountains or the Central Coast are perceived as funky regions, and having a lot of success.

"And if we can all work together, as well as the strengths of Bathurst, let's keep breaking records, for sure."

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