The world would ‘kill’ for an event like the Winter Feast, says tourism boss

Support is growing for an extension of Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast with the state’s tourism boss saying other parts of the world would “kill” to be able to host such an event. LATEST >>

TASMANIAN tourism boss Luke Martin has thrown his support behind the Winter Feast being extended for a few more weekends saying other parts of the world would “kill” for the event.

The Mercury revealed Dark Mofo organisers wanted to extend the Winter Feast to allow thousands of Victorians who had to cancel their tickets to attend, but scuttled its plan after opposition from the Tasmanian Hospitality Association because of the effect on local restaurants and bars.

Mr Martin stressed he didn’t want to get into a slanging match with the THA but if stallholders were keen the party should continue.

“Thousands of Victorians have missed out because of the lockdown and restrictions and this would be a great lift for them,” Mr Martin said.

“If – and it’s a big if – the Melbourne border restrictions were to come down in the next few days, and if the stallholders are keen, the option to extend the festival for just a couple of weekends is an exciting opportunity.

“The world and every Australian state would kill for an event like this and these are unique circumstances.”

The opening night of Dark Mofo’s Winter Feast for 2021. Picture: Richard Jupe

Mr Martin said from a tourism perspective, Dark Mofo, including the Winter Feast, had achieved what was needed “in very difficult circumstances”.

“The city and the waterfront are alive and walking the streets last night there are heaving coffee shops, bars and retailers,” he said.

“Tell the Victorians who had to cancel their Dark Mofo trip, ‘we’re keeping the party going for you – come down for air, and shake off those winter lockdown blues’.

“It would certainly help offset some of the losses many businesses have experienced from the cancelled visits through the lockdown.”

Mr Martin said he understood the concerns of the THA’s chief executive Steve Old, who said Winter Feast did not help hospitality venues who had “endured the worst 18 months in living memory”.

“I understand Steve’s concerns and it shouldn’t be extended long term, but it would be a shame to rule it out for a few more weekends,” he said.

“If the stallholders are keen, and it seems most of them are, the idea of extending the feast should not be discarded.”

Dark Mofo creative director Leigh Carmichael said there was support from stallholders to continue the Winter Feast beyond Sunday night, when it is scheduled to finish.

Dark Mofo reveals plans for Winter Feast

DARK Mofo organisers have made their final decision on whether they will extend the hugely popular Winter Feast, with the association that represents the hospitality industry issuing a blistering attack on the concept.

Plans were afoot to continue the waterfront banquet experience for some weeks to give Victorians who were forced to cancel their tickets due to border restrictions the chance to attend.

More time to enjoy popular Winter Feast

Crowds brave the rain for beloved Winter Feast

Organiser DarkLab’s creative director Leigh Carmichael said there had been strong enthusiasm from stallholders.

“It has proved logistically difficult and financially unviable to extend the season,” Mr Carmichael said.

“The Winter Feast was already under financial pressure because of the withdrawal of Hobart City Council funding, and the need to adhere to the new Covid restrictions, which limit attendance capacity.

“So after the Tasmanian Hospitality Association expressed concerns on behalf of local restaurants worried about losing trade if the Feast was extended – combined with continued uncertainty around border restrictions – we’ve decided to finish the Feast on Sunday as originally planned.”

Preparing a meal at the Winter Feast. Picture: Dark Mofo/Jesse Hunniford

THA’s Steven Old said the Winter Feast did not help Hobart’s hospitality venues and operators who had “just endured the worst 18 months in living memory” and that extending the food element over more weekends was “picking the eyes out of the already scarce market on the weekend”.

“There’s no doubt Dark Mofo is a great event and we applaud Leigh for what he and Mona have created,” he said.

“We’re just standing up for the best interests of our members – that’s our job.

“We have to protect our venues, many who have already questioned their viability over the last year or so.”

Crowds line up for the opening night of the Winter Feast. Picture: Richard Jupe

It is understood Festival of Voices relocated some of its program from PW1 to make way for an extension of the Feast and that there were plans to heavily market it to Victorians.

But Mr Old questioned the strategy.

“Are people in Victoria, who have just endured their fourth lockdown, really itching to come here to sit and eat in a shed?” he said.

“Let’s also remember, Dark Mofo is heavily government-funded,” he said.

“If Leigh and his team are confident enough in the event, then extend it to Mondays and Tuesdays for the next few weeks rather than take our custom on the weekends.”