By DANE LILLINGSTONE
AN independent review conducted and paid for by Tourism and Events Queensland has shown that Jumpers and Jazz 2015 injected over $1.1 million into the local economy over the 10-day festival.
The independent study has broken down the festival by demographic, time spent in the region and the cost effect it had on local businesses.
Over 35,000 people attended this year’s festival with 17,750 of them believed to have come from outside the Southern Downs Region.
Hotels and motels in the area received over $758,000 from visitors while local businesses are believed to have received over $383,000 during this year’s events.
The dominant age group that attended the festival was people aged 30-59, which made up 72 per cent of the audience.
Jumpers and Jazz also rated highly in community satisfaction with most people responding that the festival is ‘important to the local area’.
Chairman of the Jumpers and Jazz Advisory Team Rob Hamilton said it was good to hear the feedback.
“Community pride was one of the main focuses of the festival,” he said.
“It’s excellent to hear that sort of feedback.”
He said as far as next year goes, planning was well underway.
“We already have bus companies booking for tours for next year’s Jumpers and Jazz with accommodation and restaurants being fully booked on some nights,” he said.
“I really encourage people interested in getting involved in any element of the festival, to contact me at the Visitor Information Centre.”
The Jumpers and Jazz Advisory Team is made up of Lynn Bryson, Robyn Frazer, Karina Devine, Shelia Stebbings and Mr Hamilton.
The first flyer for the festival is due to be released in February next year.
