Ekka holiday: midweek day off could be shifted to long weekend

The traditional midweek Ekka day off could be destined for the scrapheap this year, after the annual show was cancelled due to the COVID-19 crisis. But now Brisbane’s Lord Mayor has given his backing to a novel move, saying it “just makes sense”.

BRISBANE’S Lord Mayor is officially calling on the State Government to change the Ekka holiday and create a new long-weekend to “kick-start” the tourism economy in the wake of coronavirus.

Adrian Schrinner revealed today that he had formally written to the Industrial Relations Minister Grace Grace, requesting the Ekka holiday be moved to create an August long-weekend “for this year only”.

Ekka holiday to stay despite historic show cancellation

With the Ekka cancelled for the only the third time in 143 years due to the COVID-19 pandemic, Cr Schrinner said moving the holiday “just makes sense”.

“The traditional Wednesday show holiday was great for Ekka attendance, but a mid-week holiday in 2020 where there is no Ekka gives no relief for businesses struggling,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Creating a long weekend in August will give southeast Queensland residents the opportunity to have a mini-holiday in their own state, eat out at local cafes and restaurants, book accommodation and tourism experiences.”

Providing Queensland’s COVID-19 recovery continues on a positive trajectory, by August the state should be in the third stage of the planned coronavirus roadmap – meaning gatherings of up to 100 people will be permitted at venues.

Residents will also be allowed to travel for tourism, while national parks will be reopened.

“A three-day weekend could inject much-needed funds back into our tourism economy and give it the kick-start it needs to start thriving again,” Cr Schrinner said.

“Giving residents a long-weekend opportunity to enjoy a domestic tourism experience is win-win for residents and tourism operators.”

The decision to cancel the Ekka was made in early April due to COVID-19, but the Wednesday public holiday remained for Brisbane locals.

Crowds at the Ekka last year. Picture: Liam Kidston

The conversation to move it to a Friday was sparked on a forum with Tourism Queensland stakeholders and was formed on the basis that it would encourage travel within the state and give a small boost to the tourism industry.

Queensland Tourism Industry Council chief executive Daniel Gschwind said the idea was plausible.

“I think it’s an idea worth considering, by then we expect to be able to travel within Queensland and I think it would give us an additional incentive to turn the dreams we’ve all had over the last few months of travelling into reality,” he said.

“We’ve lost the Ekka so we’re not anchored to that anymore and assuming the holiday still goes ahead we might as well try to make a long weekend for Brisbane people.”

The Ekka holiday for local areas surrounding Brisbane has historically been Monday, and Mr Gschwind said the change of date would allow Brisbane residents to also have the opportunity for a local trip.

“There’s certainly a lot of pent up demand and to be given an extra three day opportunity as opposed to just a weekend would be terrific.”

“Given that we want to pick up domestic tourism I think that would be a very plausible idea.”