LOCAL tourism is back to booming following a slow start over Christmas when the rain kept many people indoors.
In Glenrowan, Kate's Cottage owner Michelle Coad said visitor numbers have been higher but bookings remain consistent.
"It's hard to gauge for us due to walk-ins but it has been higher in our visitors than last year and we've certainly had a lot of people through in the last few days," she said.
"Bus tour bookings are consistent with this time last year which is great."
Glenrowan's latest attraction - the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub which opened last September - has also been a popular drawcard.
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Rural City of Wangaratta acting marketing and communications specialist, Elisha Naish, said council's visitor services team welcomed 3500 visitors through the Ned Kelly Discovery Hub and kiosk in the Wangaratta Performing Arts and Conference Centre over the Christmas period.
"The Ned Kelly hub is seeing more than 500 people visit each day, with more than 650 on Thursday so we're definitely seeing an increase in tourism there," Ms Naish said.
"They're pleased they decided to stay open alongside the other Glenrowan businesses and are seeing the benefits of that over this period; it's evident it's a popular centre.
"There's now a donation box for those who go through, rather than an entry fee, and we've found some people are paying more than the entry on their way out because they think it's amazing.
"We're also seeing an increase in visitors staying for multiple days who are looking for things to do around the region.
"They're getting information on activities and destinations in the King Valley and even further out which is great for the region as a whole."
In the King Valley, Natalie Pizzini from Pizzini Wines and Mountain View Hotel said while rain had impacted patronage on Boxing Day, there were certainly large numbers of campers in the valley.
"Caravan parks and camping sites were fuller last Thursday compared to the Wednesday and Pizzini also had a lovely Thursday, after being closed for Christmas and Boxing Day, but was still 25 per cent down on previous years.
"There seems to be good number of cars on the road travelling towards Lake William Hovel and we were expecting a doubling of visitors through the cellar door space over last weekend through to Monday.
"There are still vacancies in accommodation throughout the valley but we're seeing a trend in people staying close to home this year so I think we'll see bookings come in last minute.
"In the last month a number of local businesses received awards for excellence in tourism and that's also what will put us in good stead in coming months."
Gentle Annie Caravan and Camping Reserve manager Petra Seebacher said the sites have been busy but not completely booked out, due to partial flooding of the grounds.
"Despite the flooding, people have given us great support and we've had lots of our repeat customers," she said.
"We've seen pretty steady numbers and there are still a few booking online so we'll see more coming in."
In Wangaratta, Painter's Island Caravan Park manager, Jaclyn Guerin, said things have been very good over the festive period.
"We're very busy and we've definitely seen an increase in numbers compared to previous years," she said.
"There seems to be lots of people travelling around and most of our guests are staying between five to seven days over the Christmas and New Year period.
"People have been enjoying sightseeing in the area and getting out into the region which is great."
