FINALLY we are starting to see the run of fine summer weather, our eateries are packed and parking spots along the coast are at a premium.<\/p>\n
It’s a busy period, and some of the things we otherwise take for granted \u2013 like getting a table without a booking or finding a convenient car park \u2013 are harder to come by at this time of year.<\/p>\n
Council’s data shows that more than 400,000 people a night have stayed in Greater Geelong and the Bellarine during this holiday peak.<\/p>\n
The population of the Bellarine more than doubles to about 127,000, with other visitors spread across the region in a range of accommodation.<\/p>\n
An increasing number of visitors are staying in the heart of the city, drawn by the recently opened Holiday Inn & Suites Geelong (180 rooms) and Quest Central Geelong (87 rooms).<\/p>\n
And when the Nyaal Banyul Geelong Convention and Event Centre opens in two years, a further 200 hotel rooms on the Waterfront will come online.<\/p>\n
Among the many attractive qualities this region offers is a diverse events calendar.<\/p>\n
The events provide an insight into what we value, and highlight our point of difference.<\/p>\n
Think quality local produce, great music and art, high-class sport and recreation, and a strong community spirit.<\/p>\n
Council is proud to support a wide range of events \u2013 from international competition right down to grassroots activities.<\/p>\n
We do this for the social benefits they bring residents, and for the economic activity they generate for local businesses.<\/p>\n
This support can come via Council grants, such as $10,000 to help deliver last weekend’s Portarlington Mussel Festival, or direct sponsorship.<\/p>\n
Through our Geelong Major Events arm, we provided financial and in-kind sponsorship totalling $1.64 million to 18 events in 2022-23.<\/p>\n
These events generated more than $81 million in expenditure, supporting the equivalent of an estimated 650 full-time jobs in our region.<\/p>\n
More than half of these events offered some free public access, attracting more than 757,000 spectators and participants.<\/p>\n
As chair of the Geelong Major Events Designated Committee, this is a very exciting period.<\/p>\n
Summer delivers one memorable event after the next, providing so many great experiences for residents and visitors.<\/p>\n
We have the Geelong Beer Festival in Johnstone Park on Saturday, followed by the two world-class sporting and cultural events the following weekend.<\/p>\n
Last year’s edition of the Festival of Sails delivered an economic benefit of $11.6 million.<\/p>\n
While the Cadel Evans Great Ocean Road Race \u2013 which combines a mass public participation ride and the best road cyclists from across the world \u2013 was worth more than $10.7 million and provides priceless television coverage of Geelong and surrounds to a global and national audience.<\/p>\n
I’m also looking forward to the Victorian Open golf tournament next month, which will see men and women competing for the state open championship at 13th Beach.<\/p>\n
The influx of visitors these events attracts provides a huge boost to our tourism and hospitality sectors, and helps those businesses remain viable during quieter times of the year.<\/p>\n
The region’s visitor economy will be worth up to $2.1 billion annually over the next decade, as more and more people discover what we all enjoy in Geelong.<\/p>\n
It is vital that we support and help enhance our events calendar, so we continue to be an attractive destination for the domestic and international tourist market.<\/p>\n
Cr Anthony Aitken<\/p>\n
Deputy Mayor,<\/p>\n
City of Greater Geelong<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"
FINALLY we are starting to see the run of fine summer weather, our eateries are packed and parking spots along the coast are at a premium. It’s a busy period, and some of the things we otherwise take for granted \u2013 like getting a table without a booking or finding a convenient car park \u2013 […]<\/p>\n