TOURISM AND EVENTS RECOVERY : THE ROAD AHEAD
Lassara Camphuis , Senior Economic Development Officer Tourism and Events , Mackay Regional Council
Mackay Regional Council has a strong focus on the tourism and events industry and the region is well on its way to achieving its vision of being recognised as a leading regional events destination .
Mackay experienced significant economic disruption following the most intense and prolonged exploration , investment and development period in the resource sector in recent history . From 2002 onwards , the region experienced strong growth in building approvals , airport passenger movements , employment rates and population growth . By 2013 , Mackay was bracing itself for the economic fallout of a steep decline in the resource sector , which affected the region ’ s whole economy . In response to the dire economic climate in Mackay , council rolled out a stimulus package as part of the 2015 / 16 budget , which included the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program . The program was introduced to support the attraction of major sporting and cultural events , concerts and conferences to stimulate the local economy .
The Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program was designed to support events that :
• raise awareness of the Mackay region , contributing to destination image and appeal
• attract overnight visitation and expenditure from outside the region and increased length-of-stay
• contribute to the regional economy by generating new investment and developing business ; and
• foster community pride .
Investing in events in regional areas , such as the Mackay region has shown to have undeniable positive economic and social impacts . Moreover , as an event or conference grows , it boosts tourism numbers and creates fantastic industry growth opportunities for local operators , including event or conference facilities , hotels , restaurants and retailers .
Over the past six years the Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program has funded 229 events and conferences , which has injected an estimated $ 160 million into the local economy . The Invest Mackay Events and Conference Attraction Program ’ s 2020 event calendar was shaping up to be an action-packed year . There were 36 events and conferences scheduled to take place in the Mackay region , equating to an anticipated $ 23 million economic injection into the local economy before COVID-19 made its mark on the world .
COVID-19 and the subsequent halting of public events and gatherings had unprecedented implications for the events industry Australia-wide . According to the Live Entertainment Industry Forum , the economic cost of COVID-19 on Australia ’ s live entertainment industry has resulted in two thirds of the industry ’ s jobs being cut ( 79,000 jobs ), $ 23.6 billion in economic output disappearing and $ 10.7 billion of added value lost for 2020 .
VOL 14 NO 1 2020 20 www . edaustralia . com . au