Tourists take a holiday from camera sales

One of industry's best operators, Terry Yensch has worked hard to weather the tourist downturn in Queensland's tropical North.

We all know holiday-makers are the most prodigious consumers of photographic equipment, particularly overseas tourists that travel to exotic locations, such as far north Queensland.

The impact of the global economic crisis has been felt far and wide and Cairns is no exception.

Terry Yensch of Garricks Camera House said trading was down around 20% this year as a direct result of an estimated 40% downturn in overseas tourist numbers, mainly from the US, Europe and Japan.

Yensch said there had been a drop-off in the number of conventions, not only because of the economic climate but also because of other markets were aggressively targeting convention and conference business.

The situation has been exacerbated by a high level of local unemployment although Garricks did see a spike in sales as a result of the Rudd Government's cash hand-outs.

Yensch, who was named who was named PICA Dealer of the Year during this year’s PMA Show in Sydney, is confident the tourist market will pick up in time but for now it’s a case of making the most of consumer interest in the new breed of compacts and DSLRs.

"The strength of our sales in digital compacts is in the $250 to $600 price range. The specs are fairly similar across the main brands so customers are looking at what results they can achieve," he said.

"DSLR cameras are doing best in the $1200 to $2000 range, which is about tops for the Cairns market," he added.

Yensch said there had been a spike in sales of canvas products this year while bags and cases remained one of the strongest categories.

"Our core business is now cameras," Yensch said, " it used to be photo finishing but the CE sector has become very aggressive in this area."

Yensch is sole owner of Garricks Camera House in Cairns but is associated with Garricks stores in Townsville, Mackay, Maroochydore (recently named Camera House?s 'best member' for 2009 at this year?s AGM), Nambour and Helensvale.