The Limestone Coast region is experiencing a tourism surge due to the Easter long weekend, AFL Gather Round and the Fringe Festival.


The local economy has been boosted with an abundance of visitors, accommodation providers have been booked out and hospitality venues bustling with customers.


More than 40,000 people were expected to have travelled through Mount Gambier on the way to the Gather Round in Adelaide last week.


The boom is expected to continue despite the showers expected this week as South Australian school due to start on Friday with Victoria’s school holidays continuing this week.


Mount Gambier Chamber of Commerce president Candice Fennell said there had certaintly been a really big buzz around the town.


“We have certainly seen that flow on what we have experienced last year and I think we have again this year, that extension from the new year right through,” she said.


“To take advantage of the multiple public holidays that come about this time of year is a really great opportunity for us to keep people when they are travelling through to stay longer than just a drive by.


“It has been really great to see the flow on in a positive way from Easter and the Gather Round.”


Ms Fennell said local businesses have been taking advantage of the events to boost local tourism.


“We have had lots of local organisations and businesses take advantage of that but sort of having Mount Gambier as a throughfare last weekend,” she said.


“It really has got to have that drive behind it and I think what we have seen which we see a lot from our local business community is they boost and take advantage of any opportunity to make sure we can showcase the region, not just their own individual businesses.


“It is looking great around town, all of the different businesses and areas.


“We have seen the visitor centre look great with the Gather Round blow up.


“Those sorts of things are definitely a driver for people to know a bit more about what is happening in our state and take benefit from that here locally.


“The Fringe has been an attraction for locals to participate in but also people externally to the region to jump on board and come and experience so we are very lucky to have that event that expands right throughout our area.


“As a whole, it is a good time of year to visit because the weather is quite mild, the autumn experience is quite beautiful in Mount Gambier and surrounds, particularly even fishing and those other sorts of activities that it is a great time of year to be out and about.”