PORT Macquarie has further cemented its title as a sporting capital with news the NSW government has secured the rights for the Ironman 70.3 for the next two years.
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State minister for tourism and major events, George Souris, announced the decision on Thursday along with member for Port Macquarie, Leslie Williams.
Mr Souris said the government, through the tourism and major events agency Destination NSW, has supported the IRONMAN 70.3 Port Macquarie since 2011.
“We are pleased to be partnering with USM Events and Port Macquarie Hastings Council to secure the race in Port Macquarie for this year and next year,” he said.
“The event is expected to attract around 6000 visitors from across NSW and Australia and overseas, providing an estimated visitor impact of over $3.5 million for the region.
“Regional sporting events such as the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie are important in helping the NSW government achieve its goal of doubling overnight visitor expenditure in the State by 2020.
“Since coming into government, we have secured three major sporting events for Port Macquarie, including the Ironman 70.3 Port Macquarie Australian Age-Group Championships from 2011 until 2015, Ironman Australia Port Macquarie from 2011 to 2018, and the Australian Surf Festival from 2011 to 2013,” he said.
Mr Souris said the three events will deliver more than $25 million in visitor spend to the region over these years.
Mrs Williams said securing the Ironman 70.3 was a wonderful result for Port Macquarie and for the whole Hastings region.
“The visitor expenditure generated by the event is significant, bringing tremendous benefit to our restaurants, cafes and hotels, and maintaining Port Macquarie’s reputation as a vital and dynamic tourism centre,” she said.
“I encourage visitors to enjoy themselves outside of the competition by exploring some of the surrounding seaside villages, enjoying a wine tasting at one of the region’s cellar doors, or indulging in a post-event treatment at one of the city’s day spas.”
Port Macquarie-Hastings Mayor Peter Besseling said the two-year agreement provides an opportunity for locals to become involved in Ironman and the sport of triathlon.
“Council has put a lot of hard work into maintaining this event and we welcome its continuation for a further two years,” Cr Besseling said.
“The event is great for the local economy ... the 70.3 tends to have a broader family flavour to it and it is probably the event more likely to appeal to the broader commnuity and family and friends to get involved and also participate. That bodes well for participation and visitation to the area.”
Destination NSW CEO, Sandra Chipchase, said the event put Port Macquarie and NSW in good international company, with other 70.3 series events also held in locations such as Austria, Brazil, Japan, South Africa, Spain and the USA.
“Visitors to Port Macquarie for the 2014 Ironman 70.3 will be wowed by the beautiful beaches, rivers and nature reserves, and will enjoy a visit to one of the region’s many great restaurants and wineries,” Ms Chipchase said.
Ironman 70.3 is held on October 19, visit www.ironman.com
