PROMOTED as the biggest event for Fremantle since the 1987 America’s Cup, the Perth 2011 ISAF Sailing World Championships has met with a mixed response from the port city’s business operators.
More than 400,000 visitors were expected in Fremantle for the 15-day event, but after one week of the championships the Fremantle Chamber of Commerce estimates the number as closer to a tenth of that.
“I think the expectation was really high and that expectation hasn’t been met; we have not had 400,000 people and I’d be surprised if there were more than 40,000 people,” chamber CEO Tim Milson said.
“It was hyped up as another America’s Cup … but no, it’s not comparable.”
Even the championship’s official restaurant, Salt on the Beach, has reported a slow business week, despite a well-attended event party.
“It has certainly been an anti-climax,” co-owner Ian Hutchinson said.
“The reality for us is that there has been less business than normal because when there is an event on, it sucks customers out of here, so there has been less trade now than if the sailing wasn’t on.”
Mr Hutchinson was also surprised by how few people wanted to watch the event from the beach in front of his restaurant.
“We were disappointed by the numbers of people coming down to watch the event; the competitors were too far out to sea … so we haven’t had anyone come down to watch it, maybe just half a dozen people,” he said.
However, the saving grace for Mr Hutchinson was hosting the World’s Full Moon Party on Sunday night, attended by more than 600 people, including 150 competitors.
“We held the official half-way party and that was a great success, so it was worth it simply to be a part of that,” he said.
While poor weather and a shark sighting kept some visitors away last week, Perth 2011 chief operating officer Darren Beazley said he was delighted with the way the championships were tracking.
“Putting aside things we can’t control, like five-metre white pointers, the wettest day in December for 30 years last Tuesday and temperatures in the mid 30s, I think we have done well,” Mr Beazley told WA Business News.
“I drove around Sunday night to five different activities in a five-kilometre radius of Fremantle’s Fishing Boat Harbour and every one of those establishments I went to was absolutely pumping.”
Benny’s Bar owner Ivan Dzeba said the championships have had nothing but a positive effect on his business.
“It started off a little quiet because of the bad weather, but it was really busy on the weekend, there was definitely an increase in business and it was good to see those extra people coming in and enjoying themselves,” he said.
Mr Dzeba said some businesses had unrealistic expectations of the number of people who would frequent Fremantle during the Championships.
“I think people’s expectations were a little high and I know I was a bit reserved when it came to the numbers … but I see any extra visitors as a bonus and certainly has put Benny’s on the map.”
