Data compiled by IER Pty Ltd found the 2018 TAB Warrnambool May Racing Carnival was responsible for;
- Total attendance of 31,696; more than 69% of these attendees were from outside the Warrnambool region
- Bringing 15,024 individuals into the region who otherwise may not have visited (76% increase on previous
year) - Generating 30,695 bed nights in Warrnambool (increase of 17%) and 8,174 bed nights in other parts of
Victoria (decrease of 23%). Overall, the carnival generated 38,869 bed nights (5% increase on previous year).' - Achieving extremely positive customer experience outcomes, with an overall satisfaction rating of 9.4 and a
very high likelihood of return next year.
WRC acknowledges and thanks the Warrnambool City Council for contributing funding towards the study.
Warrnambool City Council (WCC) Manager Visitor Economy, David McMahon said that these results are yet another example of the hard work and professionalism of the entire team at the Warrnambool Racing Club.
“As not just Warrnambool’s largest event but the regions, the May Racing Carnival is also a major promotion for our city and one we should all be very proud off. I believe many underestimate the genuine economic impact and importance of this event and months of effort and significant investment by the WRC. These important new dollars into our economy are crucial not just to tourism operators but have a major impact across all sectors of our business community and create jobs.” said Mr McMahon.
“Another new and successful initiative this year was the national campaign with Racing.Com (the dedicated national racing TV & digital broadcaster). WCC in partnership with the WRC and the Great Ocean Road Regional Tourism Board funded this nationwide campaign that saw Warrnambool promoted to hundreds of thousands potential visitors – in the weeks before the event and prior to, during and after each of the 30 races across the 3 day event with dozens of adverts and promotional videos as well as live interviews promoting our city across the country.” McMahon said.
Mr McMahon said this new approach to targeting our promotion and forming new partnerships has yielded great results and forms one of the key pillars of the new Events Strategy to grow our event visitation results, which WCC adopted in May this year.
“Events are delivering real results for our economy, and Warrnambool should be very proud of how well we host and deliver major events, such as the May Racing Carnival, Speedway and Lifesaving to mention just a few.” McMahon said.
Tickets, including dining and hospitality packages, for the 2019 TAB Warrnambool May Racing Carnival will be on sale
in the New Year.