ALTHOUGH the Christmas and new year period has come to a close, Limestone Coast tourism operators predict a strong stream of visitors for the rest of the summer season.
With the majority of accommodation in the region still solidly booked this month, it seems the trend of holiday makers extending their trips has continued.
Tourism Mount Gambier chair Kent Comley said tourism in the region had been on an upward trajectory for around five years and numbers continued to boom.
“We’re having a good holiday season this year,” Mr Comley said.
“We are seeing continued growth in the international tourism market and our numbers are steadily increasing each year.
“For the past five or six years we have seen a huge boost in tourism in the Limestone Coast and it does not seem to be slowing down.”
As for what attracts visitors to the South East, Mr Comley believes the flourishing wine industry and the region’s natural beauty are the key factors.
Although the Penola and Coonawarra wine region has been a major player in the Australian wine sector for many years, the addition of more vineyards across the Limestone Coast and experimentation with different ideas has started to cement the South East’s status in the global industry.
Mr Comley also highlighted the impact social media had on tourism.
“We’re seeing our region showcased more and more on social media sites such as Tourism Australia and South Australia,” he said.
“I know the Discover Mount Gambier Facebook page has had more than one million views in the past year.
“This really shows people’s interest in our beautiful region.”
The Border Watch visited some of the Limestone Coast’s tourism hot spots over the past week and met with tourists along the way.
Sydney couple Emily Barry and Guy Jackson stopped in at the Blue Lake on their holiday across the country.
“We wanted to stop in Mount Gambier on our way between Adelaide and Melbourne,” Mr Jackson said.
“Emily mentioned we should check out the Blue Lake and Umpherston Sinkhole so we thought why not.”
Ms Barry said she kept an eye out on Instagram for exciting holiday destinations and noticed Mount Gambier on the South Australia page.
“I saw Umpherston Sinkhole a few times and thought it was something I definitely had to see,” she said.
“The region has some pretty amazing natural wonders and we’re definitely glad we took the time to see what there is on offer.”
