Brisbane businesses gear up for bumper weekend as US sailors flood city

Brisbane’s nightclubs and businesses will be rolling out the welcome mat for the thousands of cashed-up US sailors who will be hitting the city’s streets this weekend.

CASHED-UP US sailors will hit the streets of Brisbane bringing a much-needed economic injection to traders during the traditionally quieter winter months.

The welcome mat will be rolled out for thousands sailors who arrived this week on one of the world’s most powerful war ships.

Awe-inspiring air craft carrier USS Ronald Reagan docked in the Port of Brisbane just after 1pm on Friday, days before the launch of the Talisman Sabre 2019 — Australia’s largest joint-military training exercise.

Exercise Talisman Sabre 2019

The USS Ronald Reagan arrives in Brisbane. Pic Peter Wallis

The 18-year-old ship, which cost $4.5b to build and $1m daily to fully operate, carried more than 4,000 American soldiers, and while some were reunited with their loved ones who had flown to Brisbane for the occasion, others were eager to let of some steam in the city.

National Retail Association CEO Dominique Lamb said after a flat month in retail the visit from sailors would provide businesses with a much-needed boost.

“The NRA certainly encourages sailors to indulge in some belated 4th of July celebrations by spending big during their weekend in Brisbane,” Ms Lamb said.

National Retail Association boss Dominique Lamb said the visit from US sailors would be a welcomed boost for local retailers. Pic Peter Wallis

“The latest ABS statistics released yesterday showed retail spending in Queensland was down for the month of May, so Brisbane retailers will certainly be keen to lay out the welcome mat for the touring US sailors.”

Ms Lamb said restaurants and bars in particular would be stocking up for the “impending stampede of sailors” and would hopefully see a much-needed cash injection to begin the new financial year.

Fortitude Valley’s Ric’s Bar were Friday gearing up for an influx of customers and a bumper weekend.

“Every time the sailors come in we always have a massive turnout,” one General Manager said.

“It’s just business as usual, I know that they are really well behaved when they come in.”

A spokesman for Queensland Hotels Association said it has been a “fairly flat year” for the hospitality industry, and any injection of tourists would be welcomed.

“Visiting personnel always enjoy their time in Queensland so we would expect another healthy weekend trading right across the Southeast of Queensland,” he said.

“After weeks or months at sea, Queensland will be ready to entertain them all.”

Minister Steven Miles, acting Treasurer, said the American service men and women would have “a great time in Brisbane”.

“Brisbane is one of the best cities in the world, we hope they do have a great time, spend lots of money while they are here and go back and tell their family and friends just how great it is to visit Brisbane,” he said.

FAMILY WAITING: Quinn, 10, Evan, 8, and Reese, 6, said they couldn’t wait to see their dad Brent Jaquith who is the commander of strike fighter squadron VFA27.

The ship reached the Port of Brisbane yesterday afternoon, many people watched on in amazement while some families flew from around the world to reunite with their loved ones.

The Courier-Mail understands the sailors could be in Brisbane until early next week in the lead up to the Talisman Sabre 2019 where the exercises mainly take place in the Shoalwater Bay Training Area near Rockhampton.

Originally published as Brisbane businesses gear up for bumper weekend as US sailors flood city