ISOBEL COLEMAN
Local retailers and tourism providers have barely taken a breath since the school holidays ended but there’s more good news on the way.
Noosa enjoyed one of the busiest and most profitable Christmas/New Year breaks in years but February/March is generally quiet. But not this year.
This year we could be looking at a trading bonanza.
Cricks Noosa Festival of Surfing, presented by Jeep, is heading for its biggest ever international field, with more than 40 per cent of entries received so far coming from overseas. Surfers from nine other countries are now represented, with contingents still expected from Indonesia, Ireland, Italy and South Africa when the event gets under way on March 9.
American surfers make up the biggest portion of the internationals, with 35 from continental USA and six from Hawaii already entered. Japan and New Zealand are the next biggest groups, with smaller teams from France, the United Kingdom and New Caledonia, and single representatives from Portugal and Mexico. If the trend continues, the festival could see as many as 200 overseas competitors.
Festival director Phil Jarratt said that Noosa was set for a trading bonanza, with overseas competitors travelling on average with two other people, and staying for at least nine days.
“The UK team is already here, a month out, trying to thaw out before we start. But the majority of our foreign entrants make the festival the centrepiece of a longer vacation. Three weeks in Noosa is not uncommon.”
Phil said the strong US dollar had made Noosa more affordable for the Americans. “We’ve always enjoyed great support from the Californian clubs, like Malibu and Windansea, but this year they’re coming from all over, from the Pacific Northwest to Montauk, Long Island. And on top of this, we’ve got a bus-load of European backpackers coming to compete in the Mojo Backpacker Challenge!
“We’ve put the hard yards in with international and on-line marketing, plus we’re on the back of a couple of very good years for surf, so we’re reaping the benefits of that, but I think it’s also the fact that there has been a lot of positive word-of-mouth from those who have been to previous Noosa festivals,” Phil said.
“They go home raving about the beautiful waves, the beach bar and free entertainment, the beauty of the National Park, the great restaurants and bars around town, and their mates all go out and book tickets.”
Tourism Noosa chief Damien Massingham said the Festival of Surfing ticked all the boxes when it comes to delivering visitors from outside the Noosa region.
“The latest indications that 40 per cent of competitors are coming from overseas is certainly great news. With the event running for seven days, competitors and spectators are staying in town for several days and this is good news for the Noosa economy with economic dispersal happening throughout the region,” he said.
“Ultimately the entire Noosa community benefits from events like the Festival of Surfing, as more visitor spending retains and creates local jobs. This is a great reminder of how important events like this are to the Noosa economy and attribute Noosa to being known as the events capital of Queensland. I encourage all locals to provide a warm welcome to these visitors to Noosa when they arrive.”
CCIQ Noosa Chamber of Commerce President Sarah Fisher agreed.
“The Festival has become a highlight of the Noosa events calendar and presents a great opportunity for the business community to capitalise on the increased traffic to the region. What is most pleasing to hear, is the large number of overseas visitors Mr Jarratt is expecting at this year’s festival. This is a great sign for our tourism operators and shows the region’s economy is well on the way back.
“The chamber encourages all local businesses to get involved with the festival and showcase our region to the world.”
