The Gold Coast tourism industry will receive a boost this week with tens of thousands of visitors expected to converge on the annual Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival.
Minister for Tourism, Major Events, Small Business and the Commonwealth Games Jann Stuckey said Blues on Broadbeach, from 23 – 26 May, had grown into one of Australia’s highest profile Blues festivals with almost 70 acts on show this year.
“This is the first year the festival has achieved Major Event status from Tourism and Events Queensland (TEQ), which supports and recognises the capacity of home-grown events like this to deliver significant tourism outcomes,” Ms Stuckey said.
“It provides a musical experience like no other in the state, remaining a non-ticketed event in an outstanding Gold Coast destination.
“The festival is renowned for nurturing Australian Blues talent and providing a stage for international acts which this year include Vanessa Amorosi, Ian Moss, Jon Stevens and The Black Sorrows among many others.
“Festival-goers to Blues on Broadbeach this week can enjoy performances on the outdoor stage, and in and around the Broadbeach mall with local restaurants, bars and cafés also playing host to various artists.
“Our DestinationQ strategy recognises cultural tourism as a priority niche market within the tourism and events sector, and Blues on Broadbeach will play an important role in building the Gold Coast’s profile as a cultural destination.”
Blues on Broadbeach Music Festival has gone from strength to strength over the past 12 years, winning the Queensland Tourism Award for ‘Best Festival and Event’ in 2011.
The event was created by the Broadbeach Alliance to draw visitors to the area over what was traditionally a slower time in the tourism calendar.
“Events such as this one deliver economic and social benefits to all sectors of the community in which they are held and the State Government is proud to support this this year’s festival,” Ms Stuckey said.
The Gold Coast welcomed more than 3.5 million Australians in 2012, a seven per cent increase from 2011.