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Bowen Big Mango Half Cut For Small Business
“The decision to cut $35 million from their funding in the budget was exceptionally poor.”
Willcox pointed out that local Whitsunday operators have dealt with a “double blow” when the COVID 19 Recovery for regional Tourism Fund ceased in December last year.
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The Whitsundays and Mackay region had received $3,500,000 from the Federal Government which helped assist businesses and tourism operators who were heavily reliant on International Tourism.
“We are now competing heavily against the rest of the world to attract international travellers. It makes no sense for the Government to cut $35 million from the agency tasked with rebuilding our international tourism market,” he said.
Tourism Whitsundays CEO, Rick Hamilton said he is also concerned with the reduction in funding.
He stated that domestic tourism has been strong but as Aussies head overseas, there will be a lag in international visitation as Australia is a long-haul market booked a year out.
Just over a week ago the iconic Big Mango in Bowen mysteriously disappeared, only to reappear on Thursday morning cut in half with a giant seed protruding from the middle of the 10-metre structure. While many locals stood back in wonder, Bowen Tourism and Business were ‘in the know’, their Manager Leanne Abernethy announcing that it was part of a stunt coordinated by Australia’s small business platform, Xero, to highlight the plight of small business owners who lose money through unpaid invoices.
Small business owners face 50 per cent of their invoices being paid late.
The startling statistic originated from a 2022 study commissioned by Xero, in conjunction with Accenture, and found that on average, late payments cost small businesses $1.1 billion per year.
By replacing the Big Mango with a replica that had been cut in half, organisers hoped to increase awareness of the challenges small businesses face.
Whitsunday Regional Council Mayor Julie Hall said she was proud that the iconic Bowen Big Mango was being used to help highlight such an important issue.
