Holiday tourism soars
Margaret River visitor numbers surged over the holiday season, with the town's tourism body recommending visitors venture as far as Nannup to look for accommodation.
Augusta-Margaret River Tourism Association chief executive Pip Close said the organisation recorded a 6.7 per cent growth in visits to Margaret River attractions on last December's figures.
Ms Close said the attractions included the three caves and the Augusta lighthouse, and said accommodation was tight until January 5.
"Last December we serviced 17,901 visitors to the attractions and this December it was 19,096," she said.
Ms Close said demand for accommodation was high across the holiday season.
"The Visitors Centre did not have any availability from the operators so we can only assume they were full," she said.
"The consultants were recommending as far as Nannup."
She said the early weeks of December were quieter than in 2013, possibly because of bad weather.
Colonial Brewing Company general manager Richard Moroney said he had seen a "healthy uplift" in visitor numbers over the holiday season.
"People are really getting back into holidaying locally," he said.
Mr Moroney said the falling Australian dollar, and a steady housing and rental market, had helped local businesses attract tourists.
"It's certainly been a good year," he said.
"Even through what's traditionally a quieter period.
"The overall economy is a lot better."
Mr Moroney said AMRTA's marketing of Margaret River as a tourism destination was starting to benefit the industry.
He said the growth of breweries and wineries in the region was evidence of growing business confidence.
