Tweed-Cooly traders choose not to target schoolies
WHERE schoolies are concerned Coolangatta and Tweed Heads are predominantly off the radar.
Accommodation providers, restaurants and pubs expect no significant increase in patronage and historically haven't experienced a rise in customer numbers around this time of the year.
Coolangatta Sands Hotel manager Mick Fabris said even the backpacker hostel located upstairs had no increase in bookings.
"I've been here for six years and have never seen a noteworthy impact from schoolies on the pub's turnover or number of customers," Mr Fabris said.
The Coolangatta Surf Club's Natasha Martin said the club did become busier over the holidays but it was difficult to tell if that was because of schoolies or other holidaymakers.
"We don't really encourage any sort of parties including buck's parties and schoolies.
"Our target audience is families and the two don't really mix," Ms Martin said.
The Coolangatta Hotel's marketing and events liaison manager Matt Miller said the hotel didn't expect a change from the norm caused by schoolies.
"We don't really want to be part of it and don't organise any events or do anything to attract them."
Most of the activities were in Surfers Paradise and he thought schoolies wanted to be close to all the action, Mr Miller said.
Outback Jack's restaurant's Jessica Hannagan said schoolies time meant nothing special to the restaurant and although it was slightly busier at this time of the year, this could also be caused by holidaying families.
Javed Iqbal from Coolangatta's 7-Eleven said although schoolies increased his store's business, he felt schoolies often caused trouble both in his shop and in the street.
Mr Iqbal said he hoped police would step up their patrols as that would keep schoolies under control.
A Reflection on the Sea spokesman said the luxury accommodation provider only had a few extra bookings from schoolies.
Although prices were significantly lower in Coolangatta, schoolies still decided to stay in Surfers or Byron Bay.
That's were all the events are being held and that's were they are staying, he said.
