Floating tree leads $15.6m Christmas windfall for Geelong

Booming retial trade figures show Geelong has cemented its position as the “Christmas capital of Australia”, according to Mayor Darryn Lyons.
The city’s expanded 2015 Christmas program helped lure more than 213,500 visitors who spent an estimated $15.6 million over the last Christmas period, he said.
Christmas in Geelong was now “extremely popular with both locals and visitors from Melbourne and beyond”.
“It was wonderful to see the large numbers of visitors and great energy and community spirit right through the City centre and Waterfront,” Cr Lyons said.
“Led by our floating Christmas tree, this was a sensational year of consolidation for the program and builds on the festive tradition we’re creating in our wonderful city.”
Central Geelong traders reported “bumper” Christmas trading, Cr Lyons said.
“Much of this was due to the big crowds and excitement generated by the range of council and Central Geelong Marketing activities, events and a very positive marketing strategy.”
The floating tree attracted 123,000 visitors as a “key feature” of the Christmas program, Cr Lyons said.
Central Geelong Marketing activities attracted a further 58,800, while 31,000 people attended for nightly Christmas projections on City Hall.
Geelong’s Christmas also generated around $10 million in media coverage, including coverage on national TV’s The Today Show and major newspapers.
“Once again, it’s easy to see the success of our Christmas program,” Cr Lyons said.
“The floating Christmas tree and other Christmas activities are now firmly part of the Christmas tradition and sense of community spirit in Geelong and will continue to attract visitors from far and wide.”