The Scenic Rim is reaping the rewards of Queenslanders exploring their own backyard according to the most recent Tourism Research Australia data.
Mayor Greg Christensen said that after a year of international and state border closures, the September 2020 year-end data shows that, while visitor numbers were down in the Scenic Rim, we fared much better than other parts of South East Queensland.
“We know across Queensland, Australia and the globe, the tourism industry has taken a massive hit as the world has responded to the COVID-19 pandemic,” he said.
Scenic Rim Mayor Greg Christensen
“What’s reassuring for us is that while our overnight numbers were down 21.7 per cent year-on-year, we weren’t as severely impacted as some of our neighbours.
“Brisbane, for example was down 38 per cent compared to the same time last year, and the Gold Coast was down 36 per cent as those markets traditionally rely on overseas and interstate visitors.
“Similarly, the number of visitors taking day-trips in the Scenic Rim only decreased by 3.5 per cent, which is significantly lower than in neighbouring areas, which recorded decreases between 25 per cent and 28 per cent.
“We’ve also seen a very small increase in visitor spend, which is higher than the average over the past four years.
“Our abundance of nature, outdoor activities and fresh seasonal produce are strong drawcards for day-trippers living within a two-hour drive of the region.”
Travel bloggers, Phoebe and Matt Lee, from Little Grey Box are just some of the Scenic Rim’s latest converts as they adjusted their travel plans in keeping with government health advice.
Phoebe said she thought she had already seen and done it all in South-East Queensland until 2020 came and forced the couple to explore closer to home.
“My partner Matt and I were blown away by the natural beauty of the Scenic Rim,” she said.
“Wandering through Lamington National Park, sitting around the fire at Baya Eco Retreat in Boonah and relaxing along the banks of Lake Wyaralong, we both found ourselves wishing we had visited sooner.
“With all the noise, chaos and stress of the last year, it felt so good to get away and find the space, peace and time to reconnect.
“Surrounded by the stunning Australian landscape, our entire trip felt like one big sigh of relief. “It was exactly what we both needed to feel grounded and energised again.”
