Tourism spending in the coastal Bay of Plenty region has increased by $86 million to $773 million.

The figure is based on the latest results from the Ministry of Business, Innovation and Enterprise (MBIE).

Retail sales, restaurants and cafes, accommodation, transport, petrol, supermarkets and tourism attractions are all considered part of visitor spend. Photo: File.

'An increase of this magnitude is significant for the region as a whole,” says Tourism Bay of Plenty chair Ian Smith.

'We knew anecdotally that the region was performing strongly over the last 18 months, but this data shows our collective efforts are having real economic impact and will be felt positively in the pockets of local businesses.

'The marketing of our region is majority funded by business rate payers and this result represents incredibly good return on this investment,” adds Ian, who also owns Waihi Beach TOP 10 Resort and Beachaven Kiwi Holiday Parks.

The results, which are calculated by MBIE and titled Regional Tourism Estimates (RTE), are calculated once a year and reflect spend by international and domestic tourists in the region to March 2015.

The visitor spend is reportedly on a wide range of local services and products including: retail sales, restaurants and cafes, accommodation, transport, petrol, supermarkets and tourism attractions.

The figures do not reflect the majority of cruise passenger spend whilst in the area, as they are not specifically factored in to the study. Spend from cruise visitors is estimated to be a further $40 - $45 million per annum.

The region remains the sixth most popular tourism region in the country (by visitor spend), behind Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Queenstown, and the Waikato.

Mayor Stuart Crosby says knowing visitors bring this amount shows the importance of tourism as a key economic driver for the area that has grown consistently overtime.

'All residents benefit from this visitor spend and have a role to play in being good hosts to showcase the region to our guests,” says Stuart.

The Western Bay district enjoys $104 million in visitor spend, mainly from domestic visitors who shell out $93 million in the area, International spend has grown 18 per cent year on year to $11 million.

Western Bay of Plenty Mayor Ross Paterson says the increase in tourism spend is good news for the Bay of Plenty and a reflection of the many strong tourism offerings available.

'We should continue to work collaboratively to encourage visitors to our region as this provides benefits throughout the community,” says Ross.

'We have traditionally been strong domestically and are progressively increasing the focus on attracting international visitors to the Bay.

'The latest figures are very encouraging, especially considering the real opportunity for further expansion in tourism.”