World Youth Day stimulates tourism

The NSW Government says that World Youth Day is producing excellent results for Sydney and NSW tourism according to a new survey of registered pilgrims and early industry reports, according to Minister for Tourism Matt Brown.

“Pilgrims are using this visit to Sydney as a launch pad for an Australian adventure,” said Mr Brown.

“To all those knockers have faith, World Youth Day Week is a tourism bonanza for Sydney and NSW.”

An online survey into the pre-event Participant Experience and Attitudes of more than 4000 domestic and international World Youth Day registered pilgrims has shown how the event so far has been a stimulus for Sydney and NSW tourism.

The survey showed that 78% of the international pilgrims had not visited Australia before and that 82% of international and 59% of interstate visitors would not have come to Sydney this year if it weren’t for World Youth Day.

“While most pilgrims have been billeted with host families and pilgrim accommodation, hotels are certainly not missing out,” Mr Brown said. “The survey shows that 21% of international pilgrims and 13% of interstate pilgrims will be staying in hotels and bed and breakfasts.”

“The tourism industry is benefitting from the influx of visitors to Sydney and regional NSW.”  “With many pilgrims having already spent time in regional NSW, nearly all the pilgrims surveyed said they will be visiting Sydney sites and doing tourism activities in addition to attending World Youth Day events,” Mr Brown said.

Taronga Zoo, Harbour Cruise, Mary McKillop Museum and BridgeClimb are the most popular attractions in addition to seeing Darling Harbour, Sydney Harbour Bridge and the Opera House.

“Early indications from the Echo Point Visitors Centre, Captain Cook Cruises and the retail businesses in Randwick also show an increase in visitor numbers and business,” Mr Brown said.

The survey results reflect reports by the NSW Business Chamber earlier this week that it expects Sydney traders to have a bumper World Youth Day week.

Mr Brown said World Youth Day also had broader tourism benefits for Sydney and NSW as the host city.

“The event has been the impetus in driving international and interstate visitors to our State and attracting first-time visitors,” he said.

“In the Blue Mountains for instance, pilgrims are staying in accommodation ranging from the local YHA through to the five-star York Fairmont Resort.”

“The economic benefits will continue after World Youth Day as pilgrims stay on to explore and enjoy our State,” Mr Brown said.

Eighty-five per cent of the surveyed international pilgrims to World Youth Day in Sydney are staying in Australia longer than the week-long duration of World Youth Day.

The Participant Experience and Attitudes research project surveyed domestic and international people registered with event organiser WYD2008 and was commissioned by WYDCA and the Department of State and Regional Development.

In a straw poll this week The Mole met pilgirms from St Lucai, the USA, Germany and a heap of other countries and across the board, discovered absolutely delightful visitors and for a change no violence or drunkeness that seems to come with some other major events.

What do you think?

A Report by The Mole