Walk-in visitor numbers at information centres down 25%
IMPROVEMENTS are being made to visitor information centres across the Fraser Coast, despite the dropping number of people using the centres.
Tourism portfolio councillor Stuart Taylor said there had been a 25% decline in walk-in visitor numbers for the year to date, compared to last year's numbers.
The most recent figures available were for September, which showed 16,582 visitors compared to 22,002 last year.
Tiaro was on the only visitor information centre to show an increase in numbers.
Visitors at Tiaro were up 13%, which Cr Taylor put down to the completion of Bruce Hwy works in the town.
He said the Maryborough Visitor Information Centre was about to undergo refurbishment and expansion.
Works are expected to begin in early 2013.
The Hervey Bay Visitor Information Centre will also receive an upgrade.
Three new banners bearing the words: "Home of Humpbacks", "Gateway to Fraser Island" and "Visitor Information Centre" are being designed to place outside the centre on the Maryborough-Hervey Bay Rd.
