The number of domestic visitors cycling while they were on a holiday in Australia increased 52% over the five years from year ending June 2012 to year ending June 2016. Among international visitors the growth was similar with a 46% increase. Bushwalking and rainforest walks also increased but had slightly lower growth: 48% for domestic tourists and 36% for international tourists.
The statistics highlight the importance of destinations providing opportunities for people to undertake these activities. Many regions in Australia are preparing to do exactly this by developing trails strategies and/or economic assessments to ensure they have trail product that is well matched to the market demand. TRC has recently completed a cycling strategy for Northern Tasmania, a Mountain Bike Master Plan for the Northern Territory, and is currently working on a trails masterplan for Exmouth and a trails blueprint for Western Australia. All of these regions will be well placed to make sure they maximise the potential of their trails over the years to come.
