Dubbo Regional Council’s (DRC) latest Tourism Market Report for Dubbo and Wellington shows an increase in accommodation bookings for both Dubbo and Wellington, with the Christmas period and first two weeks of the school holidays included in the data.
Mayor of Dubbo Regional Council Mathew Dickerson said tourism was starting to adjust to the new normal in a post-pandemic world.
“It is great to see visitation to the Western Plains Cultural Centre was up by 55 per cent, the Old Dubbo Gaol was up by 7 per cent and visitors to the Dubbo Visitor Information Centre was up by 74 per cent on last year’s figures. Overall accommodation in the region has risen since November and is much higher than figures seen in 2019 and 2020,” Clr Dickerson said.
“Visitation to Taronga Western Plains Zoo has remained at a similar level with a marginal drop by 6 per cent on last year with a similar result at the Royal Flying Doctor Service Visitor Experience Centre which had dropped marginally by 12 per cent.”
Clr Dickerson said looking at the four-year average across accommodation and attractions the Dubbo Region is seeing a steady increase.
“It shows Dubbo and Wellington are popular places to visit over the Christmas period and we look forward to seeing what the school holidays and the January figures have to show us.”
At the Wellington Caves the Gaden Cave is open on a day-to-day basis with bookings made available from 9am each day. Advanced bookings are unavailable while staff monitor Carbon Dioxide levels in the cave on a daily basis.
The Cathedral Cave and Fossil and Phosphate Mine remain closed to the public due to maintenance issues impacted by recent extreme rain and weather conditions.
Visitor Information Coordinator Jane Bendall said weather events across the wider region had impacted visitors.
“Many operators have commented they are still feeling and seeing the effects of adverse weather impacting their numbers during December.”
“The Christmas period and first two weeks of the school holidays did see an increase in accommodation bookings for both Dubbo and Wellington however attractions experienced mixed visitation numbers during the period.”
