MILDURA is basking in a $10 million business bonanza over the Easter long weekend as restaurants, cafes, accommodation providers and retail outlets do a roaring trade.
Mildura Regional Development chief executive Brett Millington said the influx of thousands of visitors to the region was the “perfect Easter tonic” for businesses after a tough year of lockdowns.
“Based on the great response to the Show and Shine, the cafes and restaurants doing well and most of our accommodation being booked out, we’ve had a big Easter weekend,” he said on Sunday.
“There is likely to be a heavy return on what a typical Easter (before COVID-19) – and that was $10 million to the local economy.”
It was certainly a Good Friday for Mildura’s city centre, with the Easter Show and Shine event attracting about 10,000 people.
Mildura City Heart reports that about 2500 people an hour were rolling up event between 9am and 1pm.
Sunraysia Farmers’ Market at Jaycee Park on Saturday also attracted a bumper crowd as many took advantage of the great autumn weather.
Mr Millington said he wouldn’t have the specific breakdown of the weekend’s economic boost until next month, but “it’s safe to say everyone’s done well”.
He gave an example of how much money was pumped into the local hospitality sector on a busy night.
“On December 18 last year, which had our most expenditure in the night-time economy (for 2020), that night generated a $700,000 spend in our local restaurants,” Mr Millington said.
“If I compare a night like that to what we’ve had over this busy Easter for three nights, that’s $2.1 million in itself for the local economy.
“You then add in the boost to retail, accommodation providers and other businesses from the big influx of visitors, along with all the locals out and about, and that’s how you get such a big economic stimulation to our economy.”
He said the big turnout at the Jaycee Park markets on Saturday also showed why it had been such a great weekend for Mildura.
“The density of the crowd gave a good indication of just how busy it was,” he said.
“It was also good to see quite a few people shopping in the mall on a Saturday afternoon – and cafes like Kaffenio have been getting smashed all weekend with all the extra people in town.
“After such a tough 2020, it’s been a great weekend for our local businesses.”
