Magnetic Island attracts diverse tourist base
She is the jewel in the crown for Townsville and her tourism drawcard is only beaming brighter.
Townsville
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Magnetic Island is the jewel in the crown for Townsville and her tourism drawcard is beaming brightly.
With towering rock formations, crystal clear water, secluded beaches and native wildlife, Maggie is considered the perfect holiday destination for tourists from around the world.
Owner of Magnetic Island Night Visions Tours, Raymond McConville (pictured) has lived on the island for just over a year and started his business four months ago.
The tours take adventurers on a twilight journey to see animals after dark in their own habitat with the help of night vision goggles.
Mr McConville said he was confident the night vision tours would be a success with the world’s thirst to experience the island’s natural beauty and wildlife.
He said numbers for the night tours had been strong since November although bookings had dropped off in February though he said March reservations were already pouring in.
Mr McConville said the tourism base on the island was diverse.
“I feel lucky to be living here, to be living in one of the best holiday spots in Australia,” he said.
“I have seen the different cultures over here and at any one time, there are 10 different types of languages spoken and it is cool to showcase that.”
According to Townsville Enterprise Limited, the island supports 1700 tourism jobs, the equivalent of 32 jobs per square metre.
Mr McConville said without visitors the island would not survive.
“I think without tourism here, the island would not be able to continue – business and businesses wouldn’t last at all,” he said.
Originally published as Magnetic Island attracts diverse tourist base