Figures provided to Orange City Council this week show the city has rebounded faster from the impact of the 2020 COVID restrictions on travel than other areas.

"Visitor numbers to the Orange Local Government Area have bounced back, close to pre-COVID levels," a report to council's meeting on Tuesday said.

"According to Tourism Research Australia for the year ending on December 2020, our domestic visitor nights were down just one per cent on the previous year.

"By comparison the Bathurst region was down 48 per cent, Dubbo has lost 22 per cent and Blue Mountains was down 33 per cent.

"The Orange360 region visitor economy is worth more $300 million annually and employs more than 6000 local residents."

Orange360's contract is due to expire in December.

The report said the Orange, Blayney and Cabonne council areas would need to put out a tender later this year to find a new tourism services provider.

It said the region also needs to develop a Destination Management Plan.

"The DMP is a regional joint project and will cover the local government areas of Blayney, Cabonne and Orange.

"It will also work closely with other Central West regions, such as Bathurst, Parkes, Cowra, Mudgee and Dubbo."

It said a consultant would need to be appointed to create the DMP and funding would be sought from Orange, Blayney and Cabonne councils.

The report warned Orange could not risk harming its tourism economy through in-action.

"With the domestic tourism market strong, but in a state of uncertainty around the occurrence of COVID-19, it is imperative that our region continue to market, package and promote our tourism experiences and products," it said.

"The increased market awareness and forward bookings we are currently enjoying will soon diminish if we cease to be active in this area."

FOOD Week in April proved a major benefit to Orange tourism with events including the Sampson Street Long Lunch and the 30th anniversary dinner proving popular.

Orange's next major event is the Winter Fire Festival planned for early August.

Orange360 general manager Caddie Marshall said last week organisers had their fingers-crossed that the events could go ahead if public health regulations allowed them to proceed.

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