Hunter to boost backpacker tourism profile

The importance of the backpacker tourism industry will come under the spotlight at a tourism conference being held in Newcastle this week.

Last year more than 550,000 backpackers visited Australia, making up 11 per cent of the entire inbound market.

Statistics from Tourism Research Australia shows the average backpacker stays 71 nights and spends almost $5,500.

Hunter Tourism acting chief executive officer Sheridan Ferrier says the conference is a chance for the Hunter showcase to international operators what the region has to offer.

"Newcastle is probably one of the biggest areas that attracts the backpackers, followed by the Port Stephens area," she said.

"We have backpacker operations based in Newcastle so we certainly do have the facilities to cater for them, in and around the Hunter as well."

ABC News