The young single professionals with cash to splash do not holiday here and for a very good reason - there are no resort-style developments, no night clubs and none of the big buzz holiday activities available that this demographic seek out.

If they were not nature lovers, surfers or fishermen they’d probably find this area to be a bit of a yawn.

No we can’t metamorphose into a different being tomorrow and the question is would we really want to after having seen the excesses of some holiday destinations it would be best avoided.

However we need to be mindful of the fact that we have excluded completely a potentially lucrative market for which there is no infrastructure to cater for at all.

This reflects our isolation, the lack of appeal the area has for big hotel groups, and high airfares.

It also reflects the nature of our tourism industry which seems quite content to coast along with things as they are ... but where is the excitement where is the thrill of the hunt to snare a new market.

The National Landscapes program, which has identified the Sapphire Coast for inclusion in its Australia’s Coastal Wilderness, targets a new market for those seeking a strong communication with nature. However this market, usually with a strong green ethos tends to shun the excesses of consumerism.

It is unlikely that this type of visitor would set commerce alight.

There is no quick fix to the unremarkable holiday trade but there are solutions that are within grasp, which looks at addressing the problem from a different perspective.

There is evidence that the peaks and troughs of the holiday season are not as emphatic as they were in the past.

This is a positive development as it makes the tourism and retail industries less dependent on the Christmas holiday period to give business a bounce.

The lack lustre season also points to the necessity to foster the valuable and highly competitive business conference market.

Merimbula has never really grasped its importance and that has largely been a result of the lack of five star accommodation and a designated conference facility.

But as licensed clubs have come to accept they can’t rely on the river of gold that once flowed from poker machines, they are pitching themselves as players in the conference market.

While we might not get the top end of town, small business is a market that the clubs are capturing and this has positive benefits for the local economy.

The retail industry must also examine itself.

There is an onus on retailers to critically appraise stock to ensure it entices the consumer to spend, to make sure its premises are attractive and to offer a high level of customer service.

A failure to disregard these basic elements means nothing will help a business that is not prepared to help itself.

Rally to secure event

What a sad reflection it would be on this community if the successful and enjoyable New Year’s Eve celebrations were to cease because of a lack of help to run the event.

The concert/fireworks extravaganza has proved to be a real winner not only because of the party atmosphere and the festive spirit it generates but police have also recognised it as a well-run event. It has made their job easier by having revellers in one area that allows for more effective policing.

It has helped curb anti-social behaviour and it has improved the lot of the council’s town team confronted with the task of cleaning up the town and beaches on New Year’s Day morning.

But while it ticks all the right boxes its future is at stake, as the small group of organisers/helpers cannot continue to shoulder the burden of running such a large event.

We understand the huge toll it has had on their personal lives and the hard work particularly by Merimbula Area Chamber of Commerce and Tourism’s Don Smith and

Graeme Wykes who plan, organise, source funds for the fireworks and virtually work 24 hours on the day of the event and throughout the night. It is unfair to expect them to continue to shoulder the burden of the work particularly when we hear about the lack of support from the tourism industry. Surely that can’t be so?

Members of the tourism industry benefit directly from the event as it provides holidaymakers with a fun and memorable New Year’s Eve. They are more likely to return and mention the great time in Merimbula to friends and we know there is no better advertising than word of mouth.

Is it too much to ask the industry to help in a substantial and meaningful way in the interests of our visitors and the residents? Surely not!