Sales volumes dip despite bigger than expected crowds at the Taste of Tasmania
As the Taste of Tasmania prepares to enter its final day, many stallholders say sales are lower than expected despite a rise in visitors.
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CROWDS at this year’s Taste of Tasmania are on track to surpass targets when the final tally is taken at the close of the festival on Thursday night.
Organisers say a conservative estimate of the total attendance number over the seven-day festival is on track to be about 260,000 – well ahead of last year’s total of 220,000.
Festival director Brooke Webb said 197,000 people had been through the gate by the close of business on Tuesday, after five days of the festival.
“If we keep tracking the way we are, we should conservatively reach 260,000 – which is above our target of 250,000,” she said.
“It’s been bustling with people, even in these final days which are usually quieter because people are back at work,” she said.
Despite the numbers, many food stallholders have noticed a drop in turnover – with a marked downturn on New Year’s Eve.
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Long-time Taste stallholder Giovanni Bertelli, co-owner of Tempura Mushrooms, said the organisers had created a wonderful atmosphere but this year’s extra food and beverage stalls had made sales more competitive.
“Trade is a little bit down – it could be because there are more food stalls this year, or it could be because of the hot weather,” Mr Bertelli said.
“The weather has an effect, people eat less when it’s hot.”
He said total turnover this year was probably down by about 25 per cent, but even more so on New Year’s Eve.
He said he had heard the same from many stallholders.
Mr Bertelli suggested that NYE tickets become cheaper in future to attract more crowds. Waterfront seating tickets were $110 each, while unseated tickets were $85.
“They should charge less for entry on New Year’s Eve, especially since you can come in the next day for free.”
Mr Bertelli, who attends about 10 festivals a year, said it had nonetheless been a wonderful Taste this year.
“My congratulations to everyone involved,” he said.
Tempura Mushrooms, which will be frying again at the Cygnet Folk Festival this month, has been a constant at the Taste since the first event 30 years ago.
Ms Webb said she had heard that some stallholders had experienced a drop in turnover, but the final trading figures would not be known for some days.
She said this year’s 110 stalls were more than last year’s 73, but some of the extra stalls were for one or two days only.
“At any one time there were only 20 more stalls than last year,” she said.
The Annapurna food stall also noticed a drop in turnover of about 25 per cent on New Year’s Eve, although trade was about the same or a little less on other days.
Ms Webb said the crowds had been slightly down on New Year’s Eve, with ticket sales reaching 4200 – down from the previous year’s sales of close to 5000.
The Thanasis Souvlaki and Greek Street Food stall had not been to the Taste for four years, and manager Andreas Argys said this year’s takings were about the same as the previous events.
“But New Year’s Eve was significantly down,” he said.
Home Hill Wines owner Rosemary Bennett said her turnover had “exceeded expectations”.
“We have been outside of the shed this year and maybe that has been beneficial for us,” she said.
“I think it has been a great success, everyone has been so happy and there’s been a lot of tourists around trying our wine.”
DISH OF THE DAY
Raspberry Patch cocktail by Forty Spotted Gin.
Fittingly, the gin named after the rare forty spotted pardalote is tucked away in a forest of vegetation on the lawn outside the Taste shed.
Forty Spotted manager Campbell McKenzie said many festival goers were being drawn to the stall because of its eye-catching live foliage. “People are coming over here because we’re an oasis of greenery,” he said.
He said the drinks were proving popular too, even in the morning. “Gin is a breakfast drink, so we get people coming to us straight away.”
Among the offerings are several cocktails for $15, including the Raspberry Patch – a mix of Summer Gin, raspberry and chilli syrup and lemon and lime juices. Two styles of Forty Spotted gin are also available for $10 a glass: the classic and the summer, which is a floral version.
ACT OF THE DAY
She Shreds, skateboard demonstrations and clinic, near the Taste entrance.
A line-up of accomplished She Shreds skaters demonstrate their tricks from 11am, with a clinic open to boys and girls from about noon to 4pm.
She Shreds president Jared Andrew said every newcomer would be looked after by one of the development squad girls and kitted out with safety gear and a skateboard.
He said skateboarding had great physical and mental benefits. “It’s good for keeping fit as well as mental growth, it aids focus and learning, and teaches kids to never give up,” he said.
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