NT major event organisers fear steep drop in crowds due to coronavirus outbreak

Nervous event organisers are bracing for a blow to attendance numbers at some of Darwin’s most highly anticipated dry season events due to the coronavirus outbreak.

Alice Baronci and Nicole Castle at the last Mindil Beach Market in 2019. Picture: Glenn Campbell

NERVOUS event organisers are bracing for a blow to attendance numbers at some of Darwin’s most highly anticipated dry season events due to the coronavirus outbreak.

The Mindil Beach Sunset Markets, which return on April 30, are expected to be hit with a big decline in numbers this year.

General manager Peter Ayre said tourists from overseas and interstate make up almost 70 per cent of crowds during their busiest months in June and July.

“We are concerned there’ll be a decline in numbers but we’ll just have to take things as they come,” he said.

“Hopefully coronavirus will mean there’ll be more domestic travel but we’re also trying to re-engage locals.

“Darwin people are tricky because they don’t like crowds but hopefully they’ll take this time as an opportunity to reacquaint themselves with our markets.”

Organisers say there are no plans to postpone or cancel Bassinthegrass this year. Picture: Katrina Bridgeford

A spokeswoman from NT Major Events Company said at this stage they were satisfied that events like Bassinthegrass, Supercars and the Darwin Festival could be delivered safely for all those taking part.

“The health and wellbeing of anyone attending is paramount,” she said.

“We will continue to monitor the situation and will put in place additional health and safety measures where required, and provide updates accordingly.”

Glenti organisers hope visitor numbers remain stable this June despite the coronavirus outbreak.

Glenti president Nick Poniris said at this stage their festival would go ahead as planned on June 6 and 7.

“It would be a disappointment and a travesty if the virus was to spread and we would have to shut it all down,” he said.

“But unless something drastic happens between now and then, things are going ahead and our visitor numbers should be stable.”

He said they anticipate up to 40,000 attendees including about 5000 from interstate.

“We’ve already got over 100 interstate guests booking hotel rooms early,” he said.

Tegan Allen enjoying Cup Day at the Darwin Turf Club in 2019. Picture: Glenn Campbell

Darwin Turf Club spokesman Jamie Chadwick said the club would go ahead with its annual Cup Day and Gala Ball as planned.

“We’re still getting strong interest from interstate, with corporate sports travel groups making early bookings,” he said.

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“We won’t be able to know how this virus will affect our numbers at this stage, but we’re still getting a strong uptake so we are proceeding as normal.”