(Statement
by Wally Hammond,
Chairman, Mannum Dock
Museum)
The
Mannum Visitor Information Centre has posted a 60% increase in
visitor numbers in the past year.
The
increase follows the opening, on April 27 last year, of the new
Mannum Dock Museum development which incorporates the Centre,
the Museum of River History, an Art Gallery, the Randell Dry
Dock and the fully restored, historic, paddle steamer the PS
Marion.
In
the year to the end of April, the Centre recorded 17,701
visitors, compared with 11,042 in the previous 12 months.
And
passenger numbers on the short cruises which the PS Marion
staged on four weekends between New Year and the beginning of
May totalled 1558, a 77% increase on the 880 people who cruised
aboard the 105-year-old boat on five weekends in the
corresponding period last year.
The
success of the Centre/Museum/Art Gallery development is strong
justification for the confidence shown by the various funding
authorities which made grants to assist with the development.
It
also shows that modern, quality attractions and amenities in
country areas are valued by tourists. The development has
complemented the many cultural, recreational and social
attractions in Mannum, making the town a destination of great
interest with its thriving houseboat industry, two other
museums, antique shops, hotels, motel, caravan park, expansive
riverside parks, water skiing and golf.
The
nationally accredited Visitor Information Centre, through the
detailed information it has given to tourists about these
amenities, has helped stimulate further economic benefits for
the town.
Principal
funding for the development came through: The Mid Murray
Council; the National Tourism Authority; Museum Accreditation
and Grants Program (History Trust of SA); SA Department of
Industry and Trade; the Federation Fund; Maritime Museums of
Australia; Arts SA; and the Cultural Heritage Projects Program.
Media enquiries:
Wally
Hammond
Veronica Jones-Ingram
Chris Snow
Tel 08 8569 2604
Tel 08 8569 2733
Tel 03 9459 5700
Go to
Mannum Dock
.
