12 October 2009

Floriade blames it on the rain

| johnboy
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The ABC informs us that bad weather is being blamed for a 25% slump in Floriade attendance.

Overall it is estimated 300,000 people visited Commonwealth Park over the four weeks, but that is well down on last year’s record of 400,000 visitors.

Helen Curzon from Australian Capital Tourism says feedback surveys will be reviewed to consider what is needed in future.

“Weather contingency is something that we will assess again after this event,” she said.

“Certainly having indoor option for both eating an entertainment are really important and will continue to develop with those issues in mind is really important is that regardless of the weather people can enjoy the spectacle that is Floriade.

And there I was thinking this was a tourism event with attendance based on people travelling from far and wide?

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This year for the first time we didn’t go.

The weather was a factor, so was the fact that I have been underwhelmed the last few years by the displays so didn’t make an effort.

It’s so interesting I have only been twice in nineteen years, and each time the same old same old, don’t get me wrong I like flowers, but surely they could do a lot more to make it interesting

I did not go this year as I found the whole thing boring. Better things to do too.

They need a few explosions (ala Clarkson and Top Gear) to keep things interesting.

I agree Deezagood. We had friends come from outatown and they found it disappointing. I often think nowadays it is contrived and promoted by ACT Government beyond what it really is – a flower show. Any way the blooms themselves are always a delight.

Does anybody know what this years Floriade cost?

I usually love Floriade, but I must admit, I didn’t find the past few year’s displays particularly dazzling as compared to previous year’s (or maybe I have just been to too many Floriades?). I wonder if previous interstate (and local) visitors feel the same way?

Thoroughly Smashed4:51 pm 13 Oct 09

I got dragged along this year, after not attending for perhaps more than a decade. My memory might therefore be cloudy, but I don’t remember it being so poor.

Pommy bastard1:30 pm 13 Oct 09

It was pretty cack this year, has been for a couple of years now. Very little different or interesting there. And most of the flowers seemed wind burned.

Like test match cricket, floriade would benefit from the random placing of landmines. Turn Flora p0rn into a bloodsport. That’ll bring in the punters.

Went on the last weekend. It was really good, weather held through the morning and there were still plenty of flowers up.

The staged planting worked really well this year, in past years the last week has been crap with nothing to see. This year it worked well. Congrats to the organisers for that.

That said, was it just me or were there not as many display beds this year?

The weather was crap. I planned to go each weekend but every time the weather was rubbish. The first weekend had great weather but I was busy moving house. I finally made it last weekend and thought it was good. I know a lot of people whinge about it but it is a flower show so if you expect anything more, then that is your problem. There were plenty of people there last weekend and still seems to be popular.

Inappropriate10:58 am 13 Oct 09

The weather stopped me. I manage to go once, but was rained on, so I made a hasty retreat.

Gungahlin Al10:11 am 13 Oct 09

Same old every year + poor weather = poor turnout of locals.

Well I sure didn’t see that coming…

[/sarcasm]

We went to Nighfest last year and were cold for most of the night. Put us off going this year
as we didn’t want to freeze again. Maybe they should bring floriade back a week or 2 when it’s slightly warmer? Or do the tulips get cranky if it’s too hot? (I’m no green thumb).

Agree…the weather was pretty average this year…stopped me from going more times than I normally would have…also, didn’t think the Night Fest line-up was very interesting this time round.

Give me the peace and beauty of native bush any day.

Holden Caulfield11:27 pm 12 Oct 09

Blame it on the flowers. Ho hum, same old, same old. 😛

old canberran10:13 pm 12 Oct 09

My better half and I travelled 600k’s round trip and a night in a motel to visit Floriade among other things. I suspect long distance travellers might be down this year due to the recession, the price of petrol, the shortage of accommodation (we only made it on a cancellation and probably the weather.

Also, it wasn’t overly interesting this year.

I really enjoyed it this year and would hope they don’t change it too much in the future. I too blame the lower numbers this year on the weather as I postponed going a few times for this reason.

Here we go – Floriade headed for the Canberra Centre … tulips in pots …

blame it on the GFC, it’s what everyone else who wants to explain why “people weren’t interested” does…

grunge_hippy7:25 pm 12 Oct 09

i know the weather turned me and several other people i know off going. i usually go at least once during the school holidays, as do many other teachers.

i think it has a lot to with weather this year. its been sh!thouse these school holidays.

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