Business As Usual for Newcastle Tourism Operators
MEDIA RELEASE
Newcastle hotels and conference centres are open for 'Business as Usual' in spite of the dramatic events of the past weekend.
Whilst most operators sustained minor leaks and/or flood/wind damage, almost all are fully operational today and ready to welcome guests and take bookings.
The main exceptions are the Newcastle Entertainment Centre which sustained flood damage and is still without power leading to the postponement of 'Starstruck' - the annual schools spectacular and Bimet Lodge, a 32 room CBD motel, which is expected to be closed for at least a month. Newcastle Travelodge, which had almost completed an extensive 12 month refurbishment programme is located in one of the worst hit CBD areas and sustained flooding to the entire ground floor, but still managed to remain open with all its accommodation intact operating near full occupancy despite having to close its restaurant and bar. The City's largest hotel, Crowne Plaza, sustained water damage to its restaurant which is temporarily re-located to the hotel's foyer but is otherwise operating at full capacity - even confirming a re-located wedding for Saturday afternoon at midday the same day!
Despite some cancellations, most of the accommodation operators appear to have more than made up for the cancellations, accommodating flood stricken families, emergency workers, media and some adventurous sight see-ers anxious to take a look at Newcastle's newest 'tourist attraction' on Nobby's Beach - the stranded bulk ship Pasha Bulker. Some weekend weddings and meetings were re-located from venues affected by either water or power shortages to others that were not affected.
One of the City's main venues, Wests Convention Centre became an evacuation centre for those who had to leave their homes or could not reach home, providing food, shelter, accommodation and dry clothes to those in need but still managed to host a ball for 450 on Saturday evening.
"The great community spirit so evident in Newcastle and the Hunter area during the crisis has sustained local tourism operators and helped everyone to pull together to make sure that we are able to reassure conference organisers and leisure tourists alike that Newcastle is open for business" said Ruth Appleby, Conventions Manager at Newcastle Visitor and Convention Bureau.
"Whilst some venues had some difficulty with staff unable to get to work or indeed return home from work, these issues were resolved by dedicated and committed staff, determined to do their bit for the City" she said.
For further information and interviews, call Ruth Appleby on 02 4974 2853 or 0417 498 881