Orange is seeing a surge in tourists with several accommodation places being booked out until September-October.
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Orange360 general manager Caddie Marshall said the tourists were booking venues across the board ranging from hotels and motels to Airbnb houses.
Ms Marshall said accommodation providers such as the Byng Street Boutique Hotel and The Oriana had bookings for the next few months.
It will 100 per cent increase our accessibility to a more far-reaching audience.
- Caddie Marshall, Orange360 general manager
"From the long weekend, the first weekend people were able to travel, we had 100 per cent occupancy across Orange and many of the surrounding villages. There were strong numbers and strong forward bookings," she said.
Ms Marshall said this week's announcement from QantasLink that it would fly into Orange from July 20 would further boost the city.
"It will 100 per cent increase our accessibility to a more far-reaching audience," she said.
Ms Marshall said it would encourage more tourists to fly from the north coast and, when borders open, from south-east Queensland to Orange for events instead of driving.
"It will increase people's time that they can be in our region," she said.
She said it would complement the service provided by Regional Express airline.
An Orange City Council statement said the influx had followed coverage about Orange in metropolitan media including TV shows, lifestyle and travel magazines and social media.
It said the Orange Visitor Information Centre had a 75 per cent increase in patronage last Saturday, June 27, compared to 2019, with 510 people coming through the doors.
It contributed to a 49 per cent increase overall for the weekend compared to last year.
Mayor Reg Kidd said Orange had seen many first-time visitors, particularly with overseas and interstate travel bans in place.
"It's reassuring to see that visitors are being responsible, with no new cases of the coronavirus detected in the city since travel restrictions were relaxed," he said.
Orange City Council Employment and Economic Development Committee Chair Cr Tony Mileto said food and wine were proving winners.
"Food and wine is certainly attracting crowds, which is a real boost for restaurants and cellar doors after what has been a tough time for the industry," he said.
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David Fitzsimons
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
I am a senior journalist at the Central Western Daily concentrating on council, government and real estate issues. Before moving to Orange I filled senior roles at the Daily Telegraph, Daily Telegraph-Mirror and the Daily Mirror in Sydney. They included being an editor, news editor, chief of staff and reporter.
