Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers month-long celebration delivers significant rewards for the region

The Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers month-long celebration has generated over $22 million in direct and incremental spend and 155,000 visitor nights.

This year the Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers was staged over the full 30 days of September, a welcome extension of the historical 10-day event. It allowed more people to spend more time in the parks, public spaces and gardens.

Chair of the Toowoomba Regional Council Environment and Community Services Committee James O’Shea said data from Tourism and Events Queensland showed more than $22 million in direct and incremental spend during the month, significantly up on the $10.35 million figure for 2020. 155,000 visitor nights were generated during the event and attendance topped 284,758, up from 214,217 in 2020, and on par with 2019 figures.

O’Shea noted “this year we staged Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers over the full 30 days of September, a welcome extension of the historical 10-day event. It allowed more people to spend more time in the parks, public spaces and gardens, to taste the flavours of the region and to stay a little longer. This has absolutely worked, with the event spending impact at more than $22 million, and 155,000 visitor nights recorded, as well as 123% increase on crowd numbers from 2020.

“Our highly successful COVIDSafe format of TCOF has become the blueprint for change and success.

 “To top off a truly incredible year for Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers, just a few weeks ago, the event was awarded Silver at the Queensland Tourism Awards for Major Festivals and Events.  This is wonderful recognition, particularly when COVID-19 has been affecting so many events.

“We would also like to pay tribute to Council’s gardeners and all of the gardening residents of this region; the canvas of colour everywhere, truly created the event everyone needed this year.”  

The Queensland Government, via Tourism and Events Queensland, supports Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers which features on the It’s Live! in Queensland events calendar.

Image: Constance Bailey celebrates Toowoomba Carnival of Flowers. Credit: Nigel Hallett