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The Parkes Elvis Festival has been named a finalist in the 2019 Grey Nomad Awards, helping cement the town’s reputation as a top destination for mature age tourists with a penchant for rock’n’roll.

The Festival has been shortlisted in the ‘Best Grey Nomad Festival or Event’ category.

Parkes Elvis Festival is the largest celebration of Elvis' life in the Southern Hemisphere, encompassing more than 200 events across five days. Grey nomads made happy by crooning rebirthed Elvis songs were even cheerier upon learning that 80% of events were free to attend.

The typical Festival visitor is a mature traveller over 50 who stays in a caravan or RV, with one in every three visitors over the age of 65.

Festival Director Cathy Treasure explains “we are beyond thrilled to be nominated for a Grey Nomad Award.

“Parkes Elvis Festival has been a cultural touchstone of regional NSW for over 25 years and this is largely thanks to the unbridled support of travellers over 50.”

The Awards were judged by mature-age tourism professionals, some of whom have experienced the grey nomad lifestyle and attended the Festival personally, adding weight to the Parkes Elvis Festival’s success as a finalist.

The judges congratulated the Parkes Shire Council on catering so well to grey nomad festival goers, saying “we love that the town found a unique way to attract visitors when much of Australia is focussed on seaside holidays. As children of the 50s and 60s, grey nomads love Elvis and we can see why a favoured activity this year was participating in the love-filled Elvis Renewal of Vows ceremony.”

The judges added “festivals like the Parkes Elvis Festival encourage people over 55 to see, learn about and enjoy the many facets of Australia, and therefore make a valuable tourism contribution well beyond what is initially recognised.”

Grey nomads are a huge, still largely untapped segment that represent one of the biggest opportunities in domestic tourism. This age segment possesses 32% of Australia's disposable income and love learning about the country. Importantly, they are fiercely loyal. Once they discover something they like, they will return.

The Awards dinner is being held on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday 6th November, immediately following The Art of Attraction Tourism summit which will feature guest-speaker Festival director Cathy Treasure. The summit marks the first national event to explore two fast-growing 21st century tourism segments - senior travel and arts tourism.

For more information go to www.parkeselvisfestival.com.au

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