Easter is upon us already and it seems like the first quarter of 2018 has just flown past. We are about to enjoy a well earned extra-long weekend, two weeks of school holidays and ANZAC Day. As usual Port Macquarie can expect a host of visitors right across this period from elsewhere in NSW, interstate and overseas. Some will be regularly visitors who come here often whilst many others may be here for the first time. This makes the Easter holiday period a very important time for all the tourism operators and hospitality based businesses in our town.
As we all know from our own trips away the memory of our holiday experiences is lasting and this will make all the difference when tourists choose to make repeat visits to Port Macquarie. We already have beautiful beaches, coastal walks and spectacular environment so a welcoming atmosphere and good service are the remaining essential elements for the ultimate tourism experience.
The Chamber and the entire business community are committed to collectively supporting our many successful tourism operators and hospitality related businesses. At the same time we at the Chamber of Commerce encourage the tourism and hospitality sector to go “above & beyond” during the upcoming Easter holiday period to make visitors time here memorable.
It is clear to all that Port Macquarie is experiencing a unique period of vitality, energy and economic growth. There is a noticeable vibrancy in our town centre with people out and about on most weekday evenings and weekends enjoying a meal in our many wonderful restaurants, cafés and eateries, a picnic or a stroll around the breakwall to the recently upgraded Town Green and Town Square areas.
The Chamber’s message is that we should all work together to welcome visitors to Port Macquarie, to raise our profile and ensure we are a talked about, desirable and sought after destination for tourists.
For all those tourism operators, restaurants, cafés and other hospitality businesses not already part of the Chamber of Commerce we encourage you to join. There are regular opportunities for you to network with other local operators and share your experiences and exchange ideas or market innovations.
This year is also an exciting an interesting time because it is the Bicentenary of the discovery of Port Macquarie by Surveyor John Oxley in 1818. The town was originally settled a couple of years later in 1821 so over the next three years a range of Bicentennial events and projects will be rolled out in celebration. Council and several other groups with the full support of The Chamber of Commerce have already commenced working on the Port Macquarie Bicentennial events and projects.
The signature event of Chambers annual calendar, The Port Macquarie Business Awards is only a few months away and it’s a good time for businesses to start preparing their entries. This is a great experience that helps owners focus on their own business goals and aspirations. It is an opportunity for businesses to raise their profile and gain recognition at the Awards showcase on a gala black tie night out in July. Chamber will be hosting the Business Awards launch in May so keep an eye out for this event and your invitation to enter the Business Awards.
The Chamber’s stated vision is for Port Macquarie to be a “prosperous, connected and liveable city” and from all the activity, energy and vitality shown we are already well on our way.
For those members and local families travelling over the upcoming holidays we wish you a safe journey wherever you venture. The Business Port Macquarie would like to wish all its members, every local family and our many visitors a very happy and holy Easter.
