The latest visitor figures are a boost for accommodation and entertainment providers, showing what a popular location the city is in the lead up to the June long weekend.
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A massive 10,142 visitors walked through the Old Dubbo Gaol during the April school holidays, while 7,142 visitors were reported at the Wellington Caves.
And already ahead of the June long weekend 80 per cent of accommodation providers are reporting they are booked out.
During April accommodation providers reported record occupancy rates with 85 per cent of rooms booked out and a 378 per cent increase in traffic to dubbo.com.au.
On an average year the Old Dubbo Gaol normally welcomes around 50,000 visitors, however, it has already received more than 23,000 in the first four months of 2021.
Similarly, Wellington Caves would normally receive 30,000 visitors a year, and has already received more than half that number, with 16,000 people touring the caves and the new experience centre.
Regional Experiences manager Jamie Angus said the upgrades at both the Gaol and the caves were contributing to these numbers.
"Old Dubbo Gaol recently unveiled its $1.4 million refurbishment, which included upgrading and replacing majority of exhibitions, and utilising technology to modernise the displays, bringing prisoner stories to life.
"And while the Wellington Caves was significantly affected by COVID-19 restrictions, things have now reopened in line with Public Health Orders. We're now seeing great patronage of existing tours and new developments such as the Fossil Discovery Lab," Mr Angus said.
Dubbo Regional Council economic development and marketing manager Josie Howard said staff were working hard to ensure everything was ready for visitors in the coming weeks.
"The Dubbo Region is perfectly positioned to take advantage of increasing regional travel. With significant tourist investment across the region's key attractions, our supporting industries such as hospitality and accommodation have also grown to provide a great platform for this increased visitation," Ms Howard said.
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