FOUR major sporting events over a two-week period have brought thousands of people to Bathurst and injected millions into the local economy.
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From March 15 through to April 2, the city will have hosted the annual Gold Crown Carnival, Bathurst Autumn Junior Tournament for tennis players, the Men's NSW Seniors Championship for golfers and the Blayney to Bathurst (B2B) Cycling Festival.
Drawing one of the biggest benefits from these events are Bathurst’s accommodation providers.
Many have been fully booked across the weekends by visitors to the city who are either participants in one of the events or came in support of someone.
Bathurst Motor Inn is just one accommodation provider that has been particularly busy in recent weeks.
“We have been booked out for pretty much every weekend back to mid-February,” manager Mitchell Meredith said.
He said other local businesses are also benefiting from the extra guests, as they regularly eat out and are interested in finding out about the city’s attractions.
Destination development manager, Lucy White, said this month has supported Bathurst Regional Council’s strategy to build the visitor economy through events, particularly those that showcase more than just motor sport.
“Council is investing a lot of money in ensuring that events appeal to different groups,” Ms White said.
The coming weekend will be particularly busy, with a full program of events on for the B2B festival, including the Family Fun Challenge, the Hill Climb Challenge and the endurance race itself.
More than 2000 people are expected to participate in the event, a number Ms White attributed to the B2B being a qualifier for the Union Cycliste International (UCI) Gran Fondo World Championships.
There are only two Australian qualifiers for the championship, which will be held in Albi, France in August.
As the other qualifier, the Wiggle Amy’s Gran Fondo, has already been held, the B2B is the final opportunity for Australian riders to secure their ticket to France.
“The other thing is the average cyclist brings an average of three people with them, so that is four people for every rider, so that is an incredible boost,” Ms White said.
“They are not just going to sit around and watch a race. They will go out and enjoy what Bathurst has to offer.”
She said statistics show visitors will spend an average of $170 per person, per day and that, as the cycling festival is held over three days, it will be a welcomed figure for business owners.
