news, local-news, bendigo, 2020, long weekend, labour day, madison, lost trades fair, applefest, motel
BENDIGO'S motels were fulled booked on Saturday, as a bumper weekend drew visitors to the region. The Lost Trades Fair had huge appeal in what was its first year in Bendigo. Other central Victorian attractions included the Bendigo International Madison and the Harcourt Applefest. Bendigo Motel Association president Charlie Loftus, of the Welcome Stranger Motel, said motel bookings for Saturday were well and truly full by Wednesday. Demand for accommodation in Bendigo on Friday and Sunday nights was also high, which Mr Loftus said was great to see. He believed the city's appeal as a centre for events was a credit to all involved. "The excellent facilities keep coming through, time and time again," Mr Loftus said. Between 21,000 and 22,000 people are believed to have made their way through the Lost Trades Fair at some point between Saturday and Sunday. Attendees' cars overflowed from the Bendigo Jockey Club to the nearby streets at points during the weekend, the event was that popular. "We were absolutely thrilled," Lost Trades Fair founding director Lisa Rundell said. Organisers had already signed on to return to Bendigo for another two years, before the event was staged. "If it grows next year I don't see any reason for it to go anywhere," Ms Rundell said. She said the City of Greater Bendigo couldn't have made the transition from Kyneton, where the event had traditionally been staged, any easier. Hopes were high for the fair to keep growing bigger and better. City of Greater Bendigo tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said there'd been indications leading into the weekend that it would be a big one for tourism and hospitality. "At the visitor centre we actually had to start a waiting list for people waiting for accommodation on Wednesday," he said. "I've not seen that in my time at the city." The visitor centre's experiences were only indicative of a portion of accommodation providers. Mr Karamaloudis said the numbers through the visitor centres themselves were positive. Trading at eateries also seemed to be going well, based on his observations. He acknowledged the contribution the Applefest would have made to bringing people into the region, though it was not staged in Greater Bendigo. Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
SKILL ON SHOW: Tim Schloss making toy swords at the Lost Trades Fair in Bendigo. The fair was among the region's draw-cards at the weekend. Picture: NONI HYETT
BENDIGO'S motels were fulled booked on Saturday, as a bumper weekend drew visitors to the region.
The Lost Trades Fair had huge appeal in what was its first year in Bendigo.
Other central Victorian attractions included the Bendigo International Madison and the Harcourt Applefest.
Bendigo Motel Association president Charlie Loftus, of the Welcome Stranger Motel, said motel bookings for Saturday were well and truly full by Wednesday.
Demand for accommodation in Bendigo on Friday and Sunday nights was also high, which Mr Loftus said was great to see.
He believed the city's appeal as a centre for events was a credit to all involved.
"The excellent facilities keep coming through, time and time again," Mr Loftus said.
Between 21,000 and 22,000 people are believed to have made their way through the Lost Trades Fair at some point between Saturday and Sunday.
City of Greater Bendigo tourism and major events manager Terry Karamaloudis said there'd been indications leading into the weekend that it would be a big one for tourism and hospitality.
"At the visitor centre we actually had to start a waiting list for people waiting for accommodation on Wednesday," he said.
"I've not seen that in my time at the city."
The visitor centre's experiences were only indicative of a portion of accommodation providers.
Mr Karamaloudis said the numbers through the visitor centres themselves were positive. Trading at eateries also seemed to be going well, based on his observations.
He acknowledged the contribution the Applefest would have made to bringing people into the region, though it was not staged in Greater Bendigo.
Have you signed up to the Bendigo Advertiser's daily newsletter and breaking news emails? You can register below and make sure you are up to date with everything that's happening in central Victoria.
