No races, but business as usual for tourists at Birdsville
There may be no horses, but more than 6,000 tourists are still expected to converge on Outback Queensland’s iconic Birdsville Races this week, Tourism Minister, Margaret Keech, said yesterday
Mrs Keech said despite the issues affecting the national horse racing industry, the week’s entertainment and events would still create a festival atmosphere in the outback community.
“Even without horses, Birdsville and the Outback still provide plenty of attraction for tourists,” Mrs Keech said.
“The festival’s range of concerts, footraces, 4×4 events, demonstrations and the auction for the Royal Flying Doctors Service are going ahead as planned.
“Organisers have also committed to adding a range of other exciting entertainment options.
“The Birdsville Races has become a celebration of Queensland’s outback, and an annual chance for city to meet country to celebrate the diversity of Queensland.”
Mrs Keech said the Birdsville Race meeting is a major economic contributor to the Outback, injecting more than $3million into local communities.
“Some businesses in Birdsville transact 60 per cent of their annual turnover during race week,” she said.
“That’s why it’s so important that Queensland gets behind the event to make it as successful this year as any other.
“I encourage anyone planning to attend the races to still go, and support Outback Queensland.
“In return for that support, the people of Birdsville guarantee a great time.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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