A dusting of snow, crisp mornings and blue skies. With the Blue Mountains promoting Yulefest and trying to recover $61 million in lost tourism revenue due to the bushfires, it's enough to put a smile on rosy faces.
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Blue Mountains Lithgow and Oberon Tourism chairman Daniel Myles said the Yulefest season was a valuable event to help the tourism industry recover after the October 2013 fires and try to claw back losses incured in the following 15 weeks. None of the tourism centres were actually hit but the images were enough to make visitors abandon the mountains for a period.
"Yulefest in this region is a magical time when this unique landscape is transformed into an icy winter wonderland, yet our hotels, motor inns and guest houses, our restaurants and cafes become warm havens with roaring fires, hearty meals and hot drinks to retreat from the winter chill," Mr Myles said.
"Tourism and hospitality businesses throughout the area have reported a significant turnaround in recent months,’’ he said.
"Christmas was down but business started to pick up in February when visitors flocked to our annual Roaring 20s Festival events throughout the region.
"As well as the genuine wish to support a community in need, people are drawn to the region by the endless activities, experiences, festivals and events we have here all through the year."
Some of the tourism establishments to taking part include The Mountain Heritage Hotel & Spa Retreat, The Carrington Hotel, Jenolan Caves, Blue Mountains Manor House, The Goon Show LIVE!, Lilianfels Blue Mountains Resort & Spa and Fairmont Resort Blue Mountains.
The history of Yulefest in the Blue Mountains goes back 34 years to a small group of Irish visitors relaxing in front of a fire at The Mountain Heritage in Katoomba who glanced out through the frosted window panes to see snowflakes and thought of home.
Bernie Boller, general manager at the Fairmont Resort said: "This is part of ensuring that the Blue Mountains is up front and visible in terms of people making decisions. With the school holidays in July it becomes a major focus for families. Last week we had up to 300 adults and 190 kids in the hotel and on Saturday nights we have Santa Claus.
"But what the mountains also need is the conference business and having the Yulefest program throughout the accommodation venues is another reason why you would choose Blue Mountains as opposed to a city hotel or alternative location."
