The latest Greater Gippsland Tourism results show an 8.7 per cent increase in domestic overnight stays in East Gippsland in the 12 months ending in March 2019.

The continued increase in visitors is not a surprise to many East Gippslanders who have noticed increased traffic in the region.

Being one of six shires in the Greater Gippsland region, East Gippsland shows its strength in tourism representing 39 per cent of the total number of nights that visitors stayed in the Greater Gippsland area.

International overnight visitors have also increased by 27.1 per cent (now up to 49,000 visitors) and domestic daytrips increased by 0.3 per cent.

The total visitation has increased, showing that visitors are coming from greater Victoria and around Australia and staying for several nights to explore the East Gippsland region.

“The continued increase in overnight visitors, international visitors, overnight stays and total visitation is a reflection of the great businesses East Gippsland has, the outstanding events being run during the year and all the beautiful outdoor areas that we have that can be explored,” East Gippsland Marketing Inc marketing manager, Hayley Hardy, said.

East Gippsland Shire Council mayor, Cr Natalie O’Connell, said it was a very pleasing trend.

“This shows the work our tourism operators and industry bodies are doing to grow new markets is working. In consultation with the sector, council developed an International Tourism Action Plan a few years ago,” Cr O’Connell said.