Two Adele shows to inject $40m into QLD economy

The two Adele shows in Brisbane last weekend – drawing a total of 120,000 between them, making it the city’s biggest ever music event – are expected to inject $40 million into the Queensland economy.

That is a figure supplied by Chamber of Commerce and Industry senior policy adviser Catherine Pham.

“For just one weekend it should inject about $40 million into the Queensland economy,” she told the Courier Mail. “That’s just obscene.

“Cafes and restaurants around the venue have been booked out for up to two months in advance and have been doing a roaring trade all week.”

Figures on how many interstate and international visitors were among the 60,000 at each of the Gabba shows, are not available as yet.

But Queensland Tourism Industry Council CEO Daniel Gschwind predicted a roll-on effect.

“You’ve got this celebrity with 25 million followers, that’s 25 million people who will be asking where is Queensland and should we go there,” he forecast.

In an editorial, The Sunday Mail challenged the various tourism bodies to rise to the occasion and promote Brisbane and Queensland’s assets to the world.

“While branding Queensland as a wonderful place to visit … hosting massive events to attract international and national visitors gives a big bang for the taxpayer buck.

“In Suncorp Stadium, we have one of the greatest venues in the world for sporting and entertainment attractions. It will be interesting to see the post-mortems on how the Gabba copes with the massive crowds.

“Nevertheless, we must continue to support big crowd-pulling events. Melbourne is the benchmark. Let’s show those southerners how it’s done.”

As to be expected, traffic began jamming up on various exit routes out of the city four hours before Adele took to the stage.

Earlier in the week, a row broke out over the traffic chaos expected; City Hall expressed its annoyance at promoter Live Nation for not staging the shows at Suncorp Stadium which had excellent public transport access.

Live Nation responded that the Gabba was more appropriate for Adele’s round-stage production and bus travel was incorporated into the ticket prices, with regular runs every 30 seconds from midday from the nearest Roma Street station.

Train services were specially altered to run well after Adele’s show ended.

Fans posted on social media that there were minimal issues getting to and from the venue, and that organisation by Gabba management and its 2500 strong staff and volunteers saw no queues or security issues for the punters.

Adele was amazing-transport there & back worked fine-rain held off-incredible night all round! pics videos tomorrow hopefully #adelebrisbane

— mabso (@mabso01) March 4, 2017

Thank you @brisbanecityqld for your amazing transport! So easy to get to Adele and back! #adele

— Kylie Lindsay (@KylieMLindsay) March 4, 2017

The Gabba brought in an extra 100 entry scanners, as well as 23, 897 more white plastic seats, 180 portaloos and 24 food and beverage stands. The venue said it also had 20,000 glasses of champagne, 60,000 glasses of wine and 200kgs of cheese and crackers.

Adele let her fans knowher opinion on the public transport controversy.

“I think they [City Hall] should shut up with their bloody moaning, fucking hell. Shut up! I’ve come from fucking London. I’m happy to be in Brisbane!”

The singer is expected to personally make $30 million from the Australian tour.