7403 Walkers on the Overland Track last Season

[Overlandman]

Story from today's Examiner

http://www.examiner.com.au/story/279507 ... ing/?cs=95

Overland Track numbers rising
By ROSITA GALLASCH
Jan. 2, 2015, 8:08 p.m.

AS THE weather heats up, so does traffic on Tasmania’s many bushwalking tracks, particularly the Overland Track, which is predicted to see a 7 per cent rise in walkers this season. The six-day, 65-kilometre walk that takes in one of the state’s wilderness World Heritage Areas is nationally and internationally renowned.

Tasmanian Parks and Wildlife regional manager North-West Nic Deka said the Overland Track was almost totally booked for this peak period, with 60 departures a day, and, based on last year’s figures, they’re expecting a 7 per cent increase.

By the end of last season, 7403 walkers had taken on the track – the largest number since the booking system began in 2005, Mr Deka said.

‘‘The way we’re looking at the moment, that would be a good increase and naturally that’s a pretty good indicator of how numbers are looking overall,’’ he said.Other areas have also seen an increased number of walkers, such as the Walls of Jerusalem and the South Coast Track and Frenchmans Cap with a record 1250 people last season.

Work on the new $25.3 million Three Capes Track was progressing well and, once complete, would cement Tasmania as a bushwalker destination Mr Deka said.

The walk is expected to open in November.

About 68 per cent of walkers are from interstate, with 20 per cent from overseas – mainly Europe and North America – and a growing number from Asia, with the remainder Tasmanian. Mr Deka said he believed there was a whole range of reasons as to the increase in bushwalker numbers, with a rise in tourists to the state as well as a growing interest in outdoor activities and greater accessibility for people who wanted to do the walks but maybe not carry their pack.

The Tasmanian Walking Company, which operates the Cradle Mountain Huts Walk, Bay of Fires Lodge Walk and new Wineglass Bay Sail Walk, is the largest privately operated group in the state.

The company’s sales and marketing manager, Ros Young, said this week it had seen a return to pre-GFC numbers and continuing growth. Ms Young said they found walkers doing the Overland Track had put it on their ‘‘bucket list’’ years ago as one of the must-do iconic walks.

The majority of their walkers came from New South Wales and Victoria and internationally, from Japan, the UK, elsewhere in Europe and North America.

Ms Young said many of their international travellers were on a return visit to Australia and once they had been to the big cities, they were keen to explore other parts of the country.

[South_Aussie_Hiker]

As the aussie dollar struggles, I'm guessing we will see better performance from the Australian travel industry.

Not only from internationals coming here, but Australians spending their money here, rather than overseas.

Which is good... IMHO, our country's tourism industry is a much more sustainable and long term income for our country, compared to digging up rocks during the mining boom.

Glad to see the OT going so well, and being managed so well (IMHO).

[Bubbalouie]

As the aussie dollar struggles, I'm guessing we will see better performance from the Australian travel industry.

Not only from internationals coming here, but Australians spending their money here, rather than overseas.

Which is good... IMHO, our country's tourism industry is a much more sustainable and long term income for our country, compared to digging up rocks during the mining boom.

Glad to see the OT going so well, and being managed so well (IMHO).

+1

Couldn't agree more.

[Nuts]

The measurable 'season' was/is longer ??
No comment on Nic or what may (or may not) be his personal positive motivation or vision of his role but Honestly- conservation of wilderness Or tourism sales management?

Re: a growth industry, we can sell exclusivity at any stage, a finite commodity not that much different to any other.