Central Queensland businesses are looking forward to the many visitors who will provide a massive injection into the region’s economy as the count down to Beef 2018 continues.
Capricorn Enterprise chief executive, Mary Carroll, said Beef Australia was the only event in central Queensland that provided a definite spike in visitor statistics each year that it was held.
“An additional ninety-thousand visitors travel to our region during a Beef Australia year and the actual event injects $74 million into our regional economy every three years,” Ms Carroll said.
To put the visitor numbers in perspective, Ms Carroll said that Beef Australia 2015 welcomed 1100 international delegates from more than 40 countries as well as twelve internationally renowned chefs that provided an additional global boost.
“In total, over 110,000 visitors are expected at Beef Australia 2018 in May and we are grateful to the federal, state and local governments as well as the numerous sponsors who support this multi-million dollar event in the Beef Capital,” she said.
“Our entire destination benefits from this event, with accommodation houses filling up not just in Rocky, but the Capricorn Coast, Gladstone, Biloela, Duaringa, Emerald and even Great Keppel Island.
“Local and regional tours and attractions benefit as well as hospitality venues, retail outlets and the positive buzz around the city is palpable during this event.”
Ms Carroll said the international chefs have millions of social media and television followers in their home countries like China.
She said Capricorn Enterprises works hard to ensure they capitalise on that international exposure by showcasing what the region has to offer in terms of tourism.
“In 2015, we organised fishing charters in Keppel Bay, visits to Great Keppel Island and if visitors are time poor, we can at least organise a scenic flight over our picturesque Capricorn Coast and Southern Great Barrier Reef,” she said.
Beef 2018 will feature more than 4500 cattle from over 30 breeds; a trade fair promoting more than 500 businesses; a symposium, seminars and property tours to deliver new research information to producers; and restaurants, celebrity chefs and cooking demonstrations for visitors.
Beef 2018 will run from Sunday, May 6 to Saturday, May 12 in Rockhampton.