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Tourism

Tourism Management Plan Annual Report 2010

The Tourism Management Plan (TMP) is Council’s 10-year strategy for managing tourism in Byron Shire. The TMP was adopted with the key objectives of promoting a sustainable approach to tourism management in Byron Shire which aligns with community values and expectations.

A major achievement was the establishment of a Tourism Advisory Committee (TAC), bringing together community and industry representatives to advise Council on the implementation of the TMP.

Throughout 2010, the TAC and Council’s tourism unit worked on a range of strategies and actions from the Tourism Management Plan. Information about these projects and their progress are listed in the attached annual report.

Byron Shire Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Report

Earlier this year Byron Shire Council initiated and commissioned the Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Survey with the support of grant funding from Destination NSW.

This is the first time a survey of this kind has been undertaken with people visiting the Shire. The research will provide a good benchmark against any future surveys and enable Council to track whether we are improving or not.

The Visitor Profile and Satisfaction Report addresses a key action within Council’s Tourism Management Plan  to undertake research to improve understanding of the value of tourism, visitor needs and satisfaction, and the economic, socio-cultural and environmental impacts of tourism.

Data about the tourism sector is available under Economic and Business Information.

Quick facts

  • Tourism is the principal driver of the Shire’s economy.  Tourism expenditure is estimated to have been $354 million in 2007. 
  • Employment arising from that expenditure is estimated to be around 2,500 FTE jobs.
  • Tourism impacts all economic sectors in the economy, notably retail, accommodations, cafes and restaurants and construction.
  • 85% of tourists arrive in the region by road with only a small percentage arriving by air.
  • In 2007, the estimated 500,000 domestic overnight visitors stayed an average of 3.9 nights while the 182,000 international overnight visitors stayed an average of 6.7 nights.
  • In 2007, 418,000 day-trippers are estimated to have visited the Shire.
  • The number of visitor nights in Byron Shire in 2007 is estimated to be 3.15 million.  Averaged over the year, that is equivalent to an increase in resident population of 23%.

Farm and Nature Tourism

Council actively supports the Farm and Nature Tourism program initiated by Australian Regional Tourism Research Centre.