By JOLENE OGLE
Tourism Noosa have promised to do everything it can to ensure the future of the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival (NIFW) despite the festival company entering voluntary administration last week.
Tourism Noosa CEO Damien Massingham said Tourism Noosa is “extremely disappointed for Jim Berardo and all concerned” following the recent announcement Noosa Food and Wine Events Pty had appointed a voluntary administrator.
“Tourism Noosa has supported the Noosa International Food and Wine Festival since its inception 12 years ago,” Mr Massingham said.
In a media statement, company owner Jim Berardo attributed the closure of both his iconic Noosa restaurant Berardo’s and the Noosa Food and Wine Events Pty company to a number of factors including rain and a loss of revenue.
“(The rain) coupled with a lethargic economy which made sponsorship and discretionary spending extremely challenging, necessitated the unfortunate action I am now taking,” he said.
“Although event ticket pre-sales were very positive and up on previous years, the impact of wet weather at the event meant gate ticket sales and festival spending were dramatically reduced, resulting in losses.”
Mr Massingham said the NIFW Festival as well as Mr Berardo’s restaurant had both contributed greatly to the Noosa tourism industry and community.
“Tourism Noosa will work with all parties to do everything we can to ensure the festival continues in the future,” he said.
