EDITORIAL
Minister for Tourism, Hospitality and Events Jane Howlett
Benefits of a stadium are there for all to see
who will spend money in those communities.
The Tasmania Devils will be an anchor tenant for the Macquarie Point Stadium, but as James Avery from Stadiums Tasmania has pointed out again recently, the conference rooms, the facilities and more mean this new, iconic stadium will be used all year round. This month the Tasmanian Government secured internationally renowned band the Foo Fighters for one-night-only concert at UTAS stadium in Launceston. This one-off performance is a huge win for Launceston and Tasmania more broadly with 25,000 Foo Fighter fans set to descend on the state’s north for this event. The return on investment for similar concerts facilitated by the tour promoter have been 11:1. We know the demand for short stay accommodation and hotels is Launceston has already been strong, and as I’m writing this tickets haven’t yet gone on sale. Events like these are a massive boost for our tourism and hospitality venues and local businesses. This is in addition to providing Tasmanians with access to world-class entertainment in their home state. It’s a great demonstration of the fact that Tasmania can secure and deliver world-class events. And with a new world-class venue on the horizon at Macquarie Point, we will be able to attract and deliver even more and generate strong returns for our businesses and community.
Imagine thousands of people activating Hobart’s waterfront after a football game or a concert at the Macquarie Point Stadium. They’re eating at our restaurants, drinking at our bars, staying at our hotels. If you were around the Hobart waterfront and Salamanca on November 30 you wouldn’t have to imagine this. You would have seen it, as I did. I’ve lived in Tasmania my entire life and I can honestly say I’ve never experienced being in such a positive crowd, all rallying for something and not against it. The vibe was amazing among the thousands of people who came together because they want to see Tasmania build something we deserve to have, an infrastructure development for the future. It was a real joy to see the diversity of people – young, old, migrants, locals, men and women. The full spectrum of people who said yes to Mac Point. The messages from the speakers came from an equally diverse range of people – members of parliament, unions, other sports clubs and codes, property developers, young people and of course our own Premier. The president of the Penguin Football Club highlighted for everyone that the benefits would not just be for those businesses in Hobart, but for the entire state. Pre-season games, AFLW games, and more will be played at places like Dial Park in the North West. They will attract their own crowds of supporters
15 Tasmanian Hospitality Review December/January Edition
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