Major Boost For South Australia’s Tour Down Under
South Australia’s Tour Down Under, the world’s first ProTour race to be held outside of Europe, will receive a major injection of funds in the 2008-09 State Budget.
Tourism Minister Jane Lomax-Smith announced an extra $14.6 million would be provided over the next four years to increase the tourism benefits of the race.
The South Australian Budget, to be handed down next week, also includes an extra $3.1 million over four years to attract more events to South Australia, particularly outside the popular January to March period.
Dr Lomax-Smith says the Tour Down Under has grown to become the nation’s most significant cycling race.
“The 2008 Tour Down Under achieved amazing results, attracting more tourists, bigger crowds of spectators, more world media coverage and a larger economic impact than ever before.
“We believe there is scope to increase the tourism benefits and further boost South Australia’s profile in the all-important European market – the source for the largest number of visitors to our State.
“This funding injection will allow organisers to promote the race more heavily in key European markets where cycling is big business and attracts a huge following.”
Dr Lomax-Smith says the 2008 Tour Down Under added an estimated $17.3 million to the State’s economy – a 50.4% increase from 2007.
“More than 15,000 people travelled from interstate and overseas specifically for the event and if we can boost that number in the future, the economic benefits will be even greater.
“Achieving ProTour status was a significant moment in the Tour Down Under’s 10-year history and we want to be able to capitalise on that milestone as much as possible.
“Events such as this pump money into our shops, restaurants, pubs and tourism operators. Events are an essential part of the Rann Government’s push to make tourism a $6.3 billion industry by 2014.”
by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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