Major events boost Geelongs economy to tune of $84m

  • 2015-12-07
Geelong, Victoria’s economy, has been boosted by an estimated $84m due to the staging of major events in the city during the 2014/15 financial year.

The Geelong region hosted 29 major events during the period, including the I14 World Sailing Championships, Australian Under 16 Basketball Championships, and the Cadel Evans Great ocean Road Race.

The events were detailed in a Geelong Council report in which it stated that $84m of generated expenditure by 650,000 spectators was achieved.

Geelong Mayor Darryn Lyons said the expenditure was equal to supporting 672 of the region’s full time jobs and, as a result, the events successfully provided huge social and economic benefits.

He said the events, which were well advertised through brochure and poster printing throughout the region, catered for both the paying public and those seeking occasions when free entertainment and access was available.

The region’s economy has relied on traditional hallmark events in Geelong to help boost the economy, according to Major Events portfolio holder Councillor Ron Nelson.

He listed the Australian International Airshow and Aerospace and Defence Exposition, which generates $22m and attracts 169,000 visitors as the most successful to date.

Other popular events included the Portarlington Mussel Festival and Toast To The Coast food and wine festivals and the culturally significant National Celtic Festival, he said.

Cr Nelson added that Council was keen to attract more events and to show off the area’s wide appeal as a tourism destination.