How is business in Airlie Beach? Interview with Lyn Gregson

John Nayler from Deju.vu Magazine, talks to Lyn Gregson about how the Retail business in Airlie Beach is coping with the lack of visitors to the region.

Lyn has been in the Retail business for 34 years and owns 7 retail outlets across the Whitsundays employing 38 staff. She said there has certainly been many challenges over the past 30 years such as pilot strikes, cyclones, flooding and shark attacks that have kept holidaymakers away,  however she has never experienced anything like this before.

A very passionate Lyn said the communities of the Whitsundays have been crushed financially and have begun to feel the effects of non-travel, as far back as January 2020. She believes that they will be one of the last regions to come out of this. Sixty to seventy percent ( 60-70%) of their business is international travellers and going on what the current state of play is, it could be September 2021 before any real changes come into fruition. Lyn highlights the fact that they need to adjust and find a strategy in order to survive and come out the other end with some form that customers and visitors expect. She believes that this is the biggest challenge that Retail businesses will be facing!

Originally Airlie Beach was built on domestic travel and has been maintaining high intrastate numbers around 400,000 visitors per year plus a quarter of a million (250,000) interstate visitors per year. Traditionally the domestic market has been strong and remained strong, however not now. Missing also is the backpacker trade that brings vibrance and zest to the Airlie Beach community.

The difference between domestic and international visitors is that international traveller produce a higher yield. They have not experienced anything like the Whitsundays before so they soak up every opportunity to undertake more activities and scenic tours plus get involved in the social aspect that the Whitsundays and the Great Barrier Reef are notably renowned for.

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Re-calibrate seems to be the word of 2020. Expect the unexpected and roll with the dice of uncertainty. Lyn says that the only way the Retail businesses will survive is to take on the retail reality of consumer "Need it now", which will become their new emerging market.

She acknowledges and respects the fact that Queenslanders themselves and the Government have done an incredible job of flattening the curve of the COVID-19 pandemic however, now it is time to bring some hope and sanity back into this tight-knit community.

She pleads with the Queensland Premier, Anastasia Palaszczuk to let Queenslanders travel within Queensland. Lyn says, "We have suffered enough and are still recovering from cyclone Debbie, our reserves are exhausted! As a strong community we stand together and will take a considered approach to the next phase of inviting Tourists back to the Whitsundays for a quality experience".

Any coastal Queensland town that is reliant on the Tourism market needs ongoing support from the Queensland Government in order to survive this pandemic. It is time that they looked at each individual Region and make some qualified and informed decisions now and inject funding back into the Tourist market which brings millions every year into the Queensland economy. Time to pay it forward!

LA nights

Went testing new Nikon S6000 camera. $156 US is a bargain compared to Ebay.com.au min ship from asia price of $230. Somehow, the consumer electronics over here is cheaper. The "Night Landscape" mode gets some great results despite the lack of a tripod.

Great Whitsunday Fun Race and Outdoor Party

The Whitsunday Boat and and Lifestyle Show is not alone in a weekend of aquatic activity in the Whitsundays. Saturday the 10th of September is also the Whitsunday Fun Race.

Famous through out the Australian sailing community, the Whitsunday Fun Race is a casual affair, racing with a festive air including fancy dress and live figureheads.

Raced in the waters adjacent to Airlie Beach, the yachts proceed around a large triangle to return to a finish line at Airlie Beach.

The event also features fun for the kids during the day and a fabulous after party with live music and other entertainment. For more information, visit the Whitsunday Sailing Club web site at Whitsunday Sailing Club

The Show will go on!

The ownership change at the Port of Airlie complex has been evaluated by the Rotary Club of Airlie Beach to ensure that it has zero impact on success of the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show which will still to occur on the 10th and 11th of September.

“When it came down to it, Rotary Club of Airlie Beach Inc. is funding 100% of the show, with Port of Airlie being the venue we have chosen. The $100,000 plus budget for the event is the responsibility of RCAB in support of the local economy for everyone's benefit.” said local Rotary President Allan Robinson.
Regardless, Port of Airlie is still a great marina complex and an asset to Airlie Beach, a town that sorely needs investment, major events and tourist visitation. These key reasons to stage the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show remain regardless of who is in control of the venue.

Behind the scenes the organising committee is busy with more than 45 exhibitors remain committed to the event with more registering every day. The show consists of boats in the marina, static displays and 30 booth holders under the big top, with 6000+ people expected to attend the event. Helicopter rides, climbing wall for the kids, seafood festival on Sunday, entertainment and educational events. These all combine to make the 10/11 September a major event weekend in Airlie Beach in conjunction with the Great Whitsunday Fun Race organised by the Whitsunday Sailing Club.

For further information:
whitsundayboatshow.com
www.rotaryairliebeach.com
Media Contact:
John Nayler 0407 15 13 11

Boatshow set to bring economic outcome

With the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show by the Rotary Club Of Airlie Beach set to roll out on the 10/11th of September, the economic and tourism benefits are easily forecast.

Demographic survey, past results, combined with advertising spend on a major event weekend forecast arrival in Airlie Beach of 3500+ out of town boat show goers.

Demographic survey
In an ongoing ticket give away on whitsundayboatshow.com, there is a clear trend toward 60% of show attendees set to come from outside the 4802 postcode area. Free ticket registrants come from as far away as Rottnest Island, Western Australia, while it is expected that upwards of 7% will come from each of Mackay and Townsville regions.

Past Results
Past results for the Whitsunday Boat Show, previously held in the cold month of June showed the willingness of 6000 or more people to come out and visit this great event.

Advertising Spend on a major event weekend
With the Whitsunday Boat and Lifestyle Show being held on the same weekend as the Great Whitsunday Fun Race, the co-operative marketing efforts of the Whitsunday Sailing Club and Rotary Club of Airlie Beach have informed virtually every part of the Queensland central coast region including coal mine region by print, radio, TV, Internet and social media.

Exhibitors interested in presenting their product, service or offering to a large number of people in one weekend, have to secure their position quickly. Space is rapidly running out in the show area including marina, hardstand, or under the big top.

The Rotary Club of Airlie Beach would like to thank with generous appreciation the support of these show exhibitors:
All Marine Services
H2opia
Helibiz
Whitsunday Marine Electronics & Communications
Australian Navy Cadets TS Pioneer - Whitsunday Division
Cannonvale Marine
Bright Eye's Airlie Beach
Maritime Safety Queensland
Diecon Engineering
Department of Environment and Resource Management (QPWS)
Reef Marine
Mackay Boat Sales / Seaquest
Sun 2 Sea UV Protection
Volunteer Marine Rescue
Whitsunday Diesel & Marine
Whitsunday Yamaha Marine
Dockpro
Multihull Solutions
Stress Free Marine
Whitsunday Escape
Northside Marine
Castnets Australia
Cumberland Charter Yachts
Sheds n Homes Whitsunday
Charter Yachts Australia
Queensland Yacht Charters
Sunsail Australia
Fusion Electronics
The Ice Box Bloke
Fish D'vine
Sugar City Marine
Australasian Marine Imports Pty LTd
Cruise Whitsundays
Daydream Island Resort & Spa
Whitsunday Outboard Centre
Whitsunday Marine Engineering
Sirocco Marine
Queensland Fishing Monthly
Tensaid
Finlease (Aust) Pty Ltd
Narellen Pools
Crossley Holden
Westerbeke
Whitsunday Sailing Club Limited
Charter Yachts Australia Boatshow confirmed to bring economic outcome

What is a good investment? Seminars in May 2015

With interest rates at historic lows there is little point storing the nest egg in a term deposit, meanwhile lending for investment has seldom been as cheap. In this type of environment there is a lot of chatter about the need to invest elsewhere, but where?

In this seminar, presentation, question and answer session, Duncan Perkins poses the question "What is a good investment?" and the answer is sure to surprise. Duncan Perkins has a 30 year career banking and finance. Co-owner of Tax Time Accountants and advocates careful investing toward a long term goal. Having seen over 20,000 finance and investment strategies, he has seen the pitfalls and the paths to success.  Duncan challenges you to bring along your concept of financial freedom, your plan and put to the test in this talk and open discussion about what does and does not work.

This will be a 15 minute presentation, question and answers, and social meet to follow.

Seminar times, dates and locations:
Wednesday, May 6, 2015
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
COFFEE CLUB, STONES CORNER
Logan Road
STONES CORNER

Wednesday, May 13, 2015
6:00 PM to 7:00 PM
TAX TIME ACCOUNTANTS
1a/50-56 Kellar Street
BROWNS PLAINS

RSVP by texting your name to 0407 15 13 11 and the choice of seminar date / location... or reply to this email.

“Ordinary” June long weekend weather confirms move.

Regular attendees to previous Whitsunday Boat and Leisure shows would remember mixed results for weather over the long weekend. The June long weekend in 2011 was little different showcasing overcast conditions through most of the weekend coupled with some rain and wind.

The new dates in September were an easy choice given the feedback from exhibitors. September is well regarded as best time of the year to visit the tropical destination. Typical clear days have warm sunshine, high probability of light or no wind or possible Northerlies. The warmer water temperatures are confirmed by the departing Whale herds. While the whales are on the hustle, the water temps make it ideal for swimming and snorkelling and enjoying all that the Whitsundays has to offer.