The Hydro Majestic Hotel will forge ahead with Roaring 20s Festival events in February to rally support for the struggling Blue Mountains community, despite experiencing an unprecedented downturn itself.
The annual Charleston for Charity community dance will be held in front of the Hydro Majestic Pavilion as a fundraiser for Blue Mountains Rural Fire Service at 11am on Saturday, February 8.
Gold coin donations will be collected from dance participants and all proceeds from beverage sales (tea, coffee, water) from the onsite Vittoria mobile van will go to the RFS.
The Majestic Long Lunch at midday that day will go ahead but with a focus on RFS fundraising.
The Deco Dinner and The Roslyn's pop jazz entertainment will wrap up events that day in grand style.
The Gatsby Casino Night on Saturday, February 29, will raise funds for Rotary and RFS.
The historic Hydro Majestic Hotel is owned by Escarpment Group, which also owns Lilianfels Resort and Spa, Darley's Restaurant and Echoes Boutique Hotel and Restaurant at Katoomba, and Parklands Country Gardens and Lodges at Blackheath.
Escarpment Group operations manager Raphael Guillien said the region was struggling with an unprecedented decline in bookings of more than 80 per cent over the Christmas and school holiday season.
"Escarpment Group has operated in the Blue Mountains for 15 years and has been through two recessions, a windstorm and the October 2013 bushfires, but has never seen anything like this. This is a long and protracted downturn which will need consolidation and strategic management of resources."
However, there was no need for tourists to stay away, Mr Guillien said.
"Our air quality is good - better than Sydney most of the time; none of the tourism assets along the Great Western Highway have been touched by fire; and businesses are open and safe to visit."
Events such as the Roaring 20s Festival were a display of confidence in the community and gave visitors a reason to come.
"This is an example of a vibrant artistic local community pulling together, so come up, dress up and have some fun with us," said Mr Guillien.
He encouraged visitors to embrace the #buyitfromtheblueys and #comewithanemptyesky sentiment and stay in the Blue Mountains at least one night to support the community and fully immerse in the festival.
Go to https://www.hydromajestic.com.au/events/roaring-20s-festival to book Roaring 20s Festival events.