Airlie Beach tourist statistics. Who travels to the Whitsundays, why, and why not?
Whitsunday Regional Council announced a Whitsunday Coast Airport manager to boost visitor numbers by encouraging miners (Whitsunday Times, 30 June 2011). Mayor Mike Brunker wants to change the industry focus of Airlie Beach from 100% tourism, to supporting fly in fly out miners and their families.
Council dropped $100,000 (40%) in funding from Tourism Whitsunday in June 2011. In response, the Visitor Information Centre in Proserpine is now closed.
Visitors to the Whitsundays were subject of an Environmental Protection Agency survey started on 7 July 2008. A pilot survey in November 2007 showed nearly 80% of all National Park visitors were first time. Nearly all were on commercial guided tours. Two thirds were from overseas. A quarter travelled with family, 45% with friends. 60% were aged between 20 and 29, showing how many fall into typical backpacker age ranges.
Seven motorbike riders from Mackay were refused service at Magnums Hotel on Sunday 3 August 2008, according to a Whitsunday Times article by reporter Alison Mooney. The motorcyclists were not wearing club back patches. Craig Hampson wore a Supporter of Vietnam Veterans Motorcyle Club front patch. His wife Jackie Hampson was shocked by their treatment. She said they were told they didn't meet the dress code. I have to say I find it hard to imagine what you could wear that didn't meet Magnum's dress code. I mean, Magnums used to run toad races, foam parties and wet T shirt competitions. Saturday charity poker run motorbike riders were also reported to have been refused service at Magnums.
Welcome to Airlie Beach. Now leave without lunch.
Where the Rainforest meets the Sea, until the developers arrived, and the golden sand comes in dump trucks.