Why are visitor numbers down in Byron Bay? There are obviously a number of key factors that are contributing to this, e.g. the high cost of living in Australia, which has literally gone through the roof so to speak.
Also, gridlock traffic in and out of town at peak times is clearly going to get a lot worse due to the high number of developments that have been approved in and around the town.
What about the demise of the creative and unique businesses that once made the town interesting and appealing? Unfortunately, many of these businesses have been pushed out due to ever increasing high rents to be replaced by mainstream chain clothing and food stores. These businesses clearly don’t do much for the uniqueness and creative image of the town.
Or the high cost of Byron Bay holiday accommodation? It’s even quite expensive to stay in one of the local caravan parks.
Byron Bay once had a reputation and image as a unique and creative place to not only live in, but also to visit. It wasn’t seen as a typically mainstream town, which I believe was a big drawcard. Unfortunately, as the money has moved in, so have the mainstream chain businesses which has led in part to the demise of the town’s unique image and therefore makes it less appealing to visit.
For four decades The Echo has printed the stories some people loved, some people hated, and some pretended not to read. If you want us to keep telling the truth, the real truth, not the sugar-coated version. We’ll need your support to keep the presses rolling. 
