This afternoon I was pleased to unveil a much needed new shade and weather sail at the Mayfair Plaza Shopping Complex in Sandy Bay. This will be the first time the sail has been replaced since the complex was built in 1987. The replacement of the sail cloth and high pressure cleaning is the first stage of a capital improvements plan for the Plaza.
The Mayfair Plaza is a centrepiece of the Sandy Bay shopping strip, housing numerous shops as well as 21 motel rooms. Patrons from the motel are vital in sustaining nearby cafes, restaurants and shops in the Sandy Bay business and shopping district. The replacement of the shade sail will also help further enhance and modernise the amenity of the area.
The refurbishment comes on the back of strong hotel occupancy figures, increasing visitor numbers and increasing retail confidence.
Plaza General Manager Michael Fong said “off the back of strong occupancy from the motel and a positive outlook for tourism we thought it would be a good time to value add to our complex. Being Tasmanian owned and operated, we are committed to the ongoing redevelopment of the Sandy Bay shopping precinct and strive to use local companies whenever possible”.
The replacement of the sail is no easy feat. Measuring 450 square metres, the sail is by far the largest canopy in the State to be installed by local company Southern Sails. This project has given local company Southern Sails the opportunity to work on a larger scale job.
Latest figures from Tourism Industry Australia showed the number of international tourists visiting Tasmania increased by 22 percent in the past 12 months and their total spend was up 27 percent. Strong growth in leisure travel has seen the number of nights spent in a hotel, motel or resort increase 9 percent to 25 million nights. Domestic travel is also up, with events such as those associated with MONA bringing visitors to Tasmania in droves.
The hospitality sector is vital to Tasmania’s economy, employing more than 20,000 Tasmania at more than 2,000 cafes, hotels and other accommodation venues.
Elise Archer, Speaker of the House of Assembly
