Shellharbour City is the place to be this summer, with visitation remaining strong and an increase in the average length of stay.
Visitors are staying longer and spending more, leading to a bumper holiday season for many local businesses.
Local accommodation providers have seen a 9% increase in the length of bookings, while average occupancy rates are consistent with last year.
Hospitality outlets are reporting an increase in bookings, with The Links Shell Cove experiencing year-on-year growth across the board.
Christmas Day bookings also rose, with locals and visitors getting out and about to explore and enjoy hospitality venues across the city.
Shellharbour Mayor Chris Homer welcomed the news and said it was wonderful people were discovering the beauty of Shellharbour.
"This is great news for local businesses, with visitors staying longer and spending more, experiencing everything that Shellharbour City and surrounds has to offer," Mayor Homer said.
"We are in such a unique position with so many stunning beaches and natural areas to explore, a thriving restaurant scene and an exciting events calendar drawing even more people into our region," he said.
A steady return of international tourists, many from the United States and Europe, has kept the Shellharbour Visitor Information Centre busy, with an 11% increase in visitation year on year.
Visitation to the Shellharbour LGA is expected to soar this long weekend, with Australia Day Breakfast by the Lake returning to Reddall Reserve for a morning of family-friendly fun from 8am on 26 January.
Meanwhile, the 2024 Oakberry Acai NSW Country Championships will see athletes from across NSW descend on Warilla Barrack Point Surf Life Saving Club between 26 - 28 January.
"This will be an exciting event for the city and will be a tremendous boost to our local economy," Mayor Homer said.
"We are expecting thousands of carnival participants and spectators to spend money in our restaurants, cafes, accommodation businesses and other attractions.
"It's a great marketing opportunity for Shellharbour and I'm sure many visitors will make plans to return," he said.
• Visit Shellharbour: https://www.visitshellharbour.com.au/
