Blue Mountains. Fall in tourist numbers

Tourism Research Australia figures show the number of trips to the Blue Mountains is down by almost half since 1999, when 1.1 million were recorded. Between 2008 and 2009, the number of trips, including an overnight stay, fell from 687,000 to 563,000 - an 18 per cent drop. Locals blame worsening traffic problems and the decline of the area's grandest hotels. These include the $50 million redevelopment of the Hydro Majestic, at Medlow Bath, which has been closed for two years and not scheduled to reopen until 2012, and the Fairmont Resort, at Leura, now in receivers' hands.