Tourism Moree has recently received a number of statistics that have been compiled as a result of various tourism plans and strategies, including the NSW Regional Economic Development Strategy and regional and local destination management plans from Destination NSW and Tourism Research Australia.

According to the statistics, Moree Plains recorded the highest rate of growth of domestic overnight visitors among all of inland NSW – which includes large regional centres such as Tamworth, Armidale, Dubbo, Orange, and Wagga Wagga – increasing by 37.2 per cent from 2011 to 2016. In 2011 Moree had 121,000 overnight domestic visitors, and in 2016 recorded a total of 166,000.

The shire also recorded the second highest growth in nights spent by domestic visitors, with a growth of 51 per cent – up from 304,000 nights in 2011 to 459,000 in 2016.

The average length of stay (nights) in Moree was also the highest, increasing from 2.51 nights in 2011 to 2.77 in 2016.

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In addition, Moree’s tourism industry had generated the third highest gross revenue in the New England North West in 2016/17, moving up from sixth place in 2015/16.

The estimated value of tourism is worth more than $65 million per year in Moree.

“That’s dollars into our community,” Tourism Moree CEO Tammy Elbourne said.

“The percentage increase is more than double the regional average.

“This is something that Moree Plains should be really excited about. It’s a huge achievement that we’re seeing consistent growth and big growth.

“It shows we’re doing really well with the product we have and we can only grow and do amazing things in the future. This is a result of the collective partnerships between ourselves, our members, council, the business community and community groups. Everyone should be proud.”

Tourism Moree chair Katrina Humphries said these figures are testament to the hard work that Ms Elbourne and her team put into promoting Moree Plains as a must-see destination to visit.

“I’m extremely proud of the work the team has put into achieving these figures; these figures don’t just happen,” she said.

“Tourism is our second biggest industry behind agriculture. The dollar value is $65 million which is wonderful not only for businesses but for employment and it keeps money going around in our community.

“Tourism will only be enhanced in the future when the Water Park is fully operational. It’s just going to get better.”

The team at Tourism Moree check in with Moree’s moteliers on a quarterly basis and Ms Elbourne said over the past three months occupancy has been at 70 per cent or above.

“This is our peak period, but this just shows that Moree is a destination, it’s on people’s books to come visit, not just pass through,” she said.

And at a time when Moree’s biggest industry, agriculture, is suffering due to the lack of rain, Ms Elbourne said tourism is helping to support local businesses.

“Anything we can do to bring new money into our community and to get visitors to be shopping in our beautiful shops, staying in our motels and eating at our cafes and restaurants is a positive,” she said.

“Tourism definitely can assist.”

Tourism Moree is still in the process of renewing its contract and funding agreement with council and the team is currently busy working on their new plan, with a draft to be ready next month.

They are also about to do their membership drive and will be sending out membership information in the coming days.

“We encourage all of our community to continue their membership and continue to be part of something really positive for Moree Plains,” Ms Elbourne said.

Ms Elbourne said although Moree’s figures were among the highest, it’s also encouraging that tourism in the whole region and the majority of inland NSW is also growing.

“We have beautiful experiences, wonderful landscapes, amazing characters and pretty awesome attractions,” she said.