England's Ashes defeat sparks early tourism bonanza for Queensland
England's crushing two-day Test defeat has triggered an unexpected tourism bonanza for Queensland as thousands of devastated Barmy Army fans extend their stays.
Perth’s pain has become Queensland’s gain, with thousands of Pommy cricket fans delivering a multimillion-dollar boost to the Sunshine State economy ahead of the Gabba Ashes Test.
The travelling hordes of the Barmy Army were out in force at the series opener in Perth last week, but the Poms’ spectacular collapse – losing inside two days instead of the scheduled five, has seen many fans head to Queensland early, where they have been touring Australia Zoo and washing away the pain of defeat on the Great Barrier Reef.
The Barmy Army is one of sport’s greatest travelling bands, with up to 40,000 Poms expected to attend Ashes Tests this summer.
But like the Poms who journeyed Down Under for the British and Irish Lions’ rugby tour earlier this year, they also inject millions of dollars into local economies in between matches.
Queensland was already poised to be the beneficiary of a generous scheduling arrangement which leaves more than a week between the Brisbane and Adelaide Tests, but the abrupt finish in Perth has allowed many to catch extra rays in Queensland ahead of the Gabba Test.
Next week’s Test – with the first three days sold out, is already expected to be a $35 million bonanza for Brisbane, with data provided by the Brisbane Economic Development Agency forecasting an incredible 95 per cent hotel occupancy on the Saturday night of the Test.
According to accommodation statistics from Localis, it represents an increase of up to 40 per cent on hotel occupancy for the same week last year.
But the rivers of gold don’t just stop in Brisbane, with tourism operators across the state noticing an influx of Pommy cricket fans in recent days following the Perth debacle.
In Cairns, Reef Unlimited marketing manager Chris Koscielny – ironically a Pommy expat himself, said they had seen hundreds of extra bookings for reef trips and sky dives from British travellers in recent days.
“We’ve certainly had a massive influx over the last few days from people taking advantage of the early finish to the Perth match, which has been a bit bitter sweet for me personally as I was crying into my breakfast on Sunday,” he said.
Reef Unlimited has made a concerted push to attract Barmy Army fans after seeing the phenomenal success of the tourists who visited Australia for the Lions rugby series.
“We thought it was a good market to tap into so we’ve been advertising through the Barmy Army and sending the message that these guys can’t come all the way to Australia and not see one of the wonders of the world,” he said.
On the Sunshine Coast, Croc Tours operator Richard Barnett has also noticed a sharp rise in the number of Brits booking excursions since the Perth fizzer.
“There’s been a lot of extra bookings and they’ve all got +44 (English country telephone code) on them,” he said.
Brisbane Lord Mayor Adrian Schrinner said hosting an Ashes Test was a huge win for the city.
“As Australia’s lifestyle capital, we’re proud to add another world-class sporting event to our already packed major events calendar, creating more to see and do for residents and visitors all year round,” he said.
“Fans will be able to enjoy our amazing lifestyle precincts and unmatched tourism experiences on and off the pitch, while supporting local job and boosting our city’s economy.”
Pommy expat and Brisbane Barmys founder George Gallantree was “furious” at England’s insipid display in Perth but hopes the team will help restore some pride under the lights at the Gabba next week.
“There will be the raucous, rapturous crew waiting for the boys at the Gabba,” he said.
FIRST LOOK: 232 units, cinema, pools plan for new retiree resort
