Pacific Airshow Gold Coast 2023: Trader’s delight as huge crowds fill Surfers Paradise
About 100,000 paying attendees flooded into Surfers Paradise for the Pacific Airshow. Now the bump out begins. Read the reaction from traders and when the road way reopens for traffic.
Business
Don't miss out on the headlines from Business. Followed categories will be added to My News.
The inaugural Pacific Airshow packed Surfers Paradise tourism hub getting tills ringing with close to 100,000 tickets were sold for the massive three-day event.
One of the few gripes from businesses was about the 10-day event bump in which closed a stretch of the Esplanade to traffic on the Surfers Paradise beachfront.
Organisers are working feverishly to reopen it, with hopes the Esplanade will be useable for traffic 24-7 again by mid-week. In the meantime, the Esplanade is reopening to traffic from 5pm each day before closing again at 6am.
‘RECORD NUMBERS’ FOR SURFERS VENUES
Surfers Paradise traders overall are celebrating one of the busiest weekends in years.
Elston manager Tina Matheson said Saturday and Sunday had been big days as crowds flooded to the beachside suburb to catch the sights.
“We’re operating as per normal and have seen about a 30-35 per cent increase in trade over Saturday and Sunday morning and we’ve put more staff on - it’s definitely a benefit to the local economy and everyone,” she said.
“The only thing we’ve had an issue with is how early the barriers went up which obviously affected our views for our customers which is what we pay rent for and what the customers come here for. So having that blocked off 10 days before the event when they only took about 30 minutes to erect - so we weren’t very happy about that, same with the neighbouring businesses but overall I think it’s been very successful the hype has been really positive and a really good vibe.”
Bianca Holgate has owned cafe ESPL for six years and said the weekend hand “gone off”.
“After what we’ve been through the last few years to now have the spirit of community together for this event, with all the excitement - hats off to Tom Tate and his team for organising such a major event,” she said.
“It’s magnificent Australia can host this event and to have it in our own front yard on the Gold Coast is even better and it’s just so much fun and we’ve seen a massive increase in trading.
“Saturday saw a record number made in ESPL history we are extremely grateful for that and we’ve also adapted our business model to suit this weekend in that we’ve extended our trading hours, we’ve got Top Gun radio playing, we’ve got merchandise, we’re giving away hats, we’ve had a sign made up - we’ve really adapted and I think Covid taught us that.
“I just hope everyone has their ups at the moment because whatever business was lost with the closure of the esplanade this month has been brought back 10 fold with this weekend.
La Playa manager Ashlee Matheson said the restaurant and been busy all weekend.
“Business has been very busy, Saturday was busier than any Saturday we’ve ever had since we opened in September last year,” she said.
“So far Sunday morning was more on the average side but still bringing in a lot more customers than usual.
“The event has done wonders for business - we’re in the perfect spot and we’re right out the front of the show people come in for drinks, food it’s perfect.
“Next year we’ll definitely have more staff on.”
THE FANS IN THE STANDS
Historical aircraft restoration society president and chief pilot Bob De La Hunty said this weekend’s Pacific Airshow exceeded his expectations after 30 years of airshow experience.
“Every airshow I’ve performed in over the past 30 years has been intensive and very involved – this is the first time at any point I’ve been able to sit and enjoy someone else’s pressure and see what they’ve brought to the event – and it’s absolutely fantastic,” Mr De La Hunty said.
“Kevin Elliott (Pacific Airshow CEO) and his team have done a brilliant job of this airshow. It’s something totally different, I’ve been involved in the Avalon Airshow (Victoria) for many years and it doesn’t compare at all because it’s a unique environment here - there’s no competition.”
Melbourne based plane enthusiast Meg Matsumoto said she had been waiting a year to enjoy the event.
“I booked the tickets and accommodation last year in August and have been hanging out for this for a year,” Ms Matsumoto said.
“It’s been amazing – the organisation, the music, the people. It’s the first time in my life I’ve seen an airshow over the ocean. This weekend has been 10 out of 10.”
Locals Kylie Turner and Jasmine Jeffery said this was the busiest they had seen Surfers Paradise in years.
“Surfers this weekend has felt like the old Indy vibes. The Supercars hasn’t had the same atmosphere as Indy – so this is awesome,” Ms Turner said.
More Coverage
Founders first: Geoff Wilson bets on market leaders
The stock picker will put to test the notion that smarter investing is about backing the ones with skin in the game.
‘A special place’: How Iceland became a Gold Coast landmark
The Gold Coast’s sole ice skating rink was a beloved venue for decades and proved popular each summer as an escape from the omnipresent heat. This is its incredible 30-year story.