Full Board Ahead On Holiday Coast
Central Coast Herald
Monday January 12, 2004
ACCOMMODATION figures have skyrocketed on the Central Coast.
Bookings made through Central Coast Tourism breaking records for the ninth consecutive month.
Central Coast Tourism chief executive officer Horst Endrulat said yesterday that in dollar terms, accommodation figures were up 20 per cent on those of last year.
The December figures reinforced a positive trend for Central Coast Tourism, which began last April, he said.
Operators large and small had benefited from the increase in accommodation figures, Mr Endrulat said.
``In December we managed more than $17,000 worth of bookings for the bed and breakfast sector alone," he said.
The figures follow reports of a record tourist crowd on the Central Coast expected to have spent about $200million by the end of this month.
``At this time we are 20 per cent above last year's figures and they are bookings we have made through our own office and what I have seen at this stage for the industry, the figures are similar for the rest of the industry but it varies from facility to facility," Mr Endrulat said.
``But you also have to consider that there have been price increases."
It had to be taken into account that several new apartment buildings at The Entrance and Terrigal were on the market towards the end of last year for the first time and were charging higher rates than other operators, Mr Endrulat said.
Bed and breakfast operator Richard Keogh, who runs Cockle Bay House, at Kincumber, with wife Claire, said yesterday that his experience was in line with reports from Central Coast Tourism.
Forresters Beach Resort owner Ross Paddon said his 34-room operation had been ``chock-a-block" over Christmas and that he was a ``good 20 per cent" up this year on last year.
``We have been working very hard to market this particular property," he said.
``I think it's down to that combined with the efforts of Central Coast Tourism to promote the Central Coast."
© 2004 Central Coast Herald
