ARMIDALE should expect an increase in visitor numbers this year after it was named one of the hottest travel destinations by a leading magazine.
Coming in third behind the Kimberley region in Western Australia and the Top End in the Northern Territory, Armidale was rated “stunning” by the Australian Traveller magazine.
Editor Georgia Rickard said the list was based on domestic travel trends over the last 12 months and feedback from a survey of more than 1000 Australian travellers.
“Armidale is an unusual choice but, surprisingly, it kept popping up across the board,” she said.
“It has a reputation of being just another country town, and not necessarily a particularly sexy one.
“But in fact it’s a stunning place with a thriving food culture, beautiful architecture and it is so close to some gorgeous natural surrounds.”
Armidale Dumaresq Council’s tourism and marketing officer Tony Broomfield said the city couldn’t buy that kind of publicity.
“This has been the biggest week in tourism history for Armidale, and I don’t think that’s an exaggeration,” he said.
On the back of Australian Traveller’s praise, Channel 7’s Sunrise weather presenter Edwina Bartholomew broadcast live from Curtis Park on Friday.
“Talking to some of the locals who attended Sunrise, they were absolutely amazed at the size of the turnout we had and the coverage Armidale received this week,” Mr Broomfield said.
“Everybody who is involved in Armidale needs to be spruiking this and promoting Armidale, it’s not just the responsibility of council but we all have to get behind it and push as hard as we can.”
Armidale received plenty of favourable coverage on the Sunrise weather segment, including a magic display from local dentist Soo-Wee Ong.
