Games over for now

Teachers postpone until 2021

GEELONG is continuing to count the cost of major events cancelled and postponed due to the coronavirus pandemic, as yet another abandons its 2020 plans for the region.

The Victorian Teachers’ Games has announced it will not return to Geelong in 2020 as scheduled, postponing its milestone 25th event until next year.

The postponement of the Games – which boosted the local economy by about $2 million in 2019 – has added to the economic stress of Geelong’s growing list of lost 2020 events.

Tourism Greater Geelong and the Bellarine director Brett Ince said it was hard to put a dollar figure on the economic impact of cancelled and postponed major events, but said it had been substantial.

“We’re definitely talking tens of millions,” Mr Ince said.

“I’m talking specifically what has been Geelong major events and funded per the city, then if you add in things like AFL games, smaller scale community events and alike, obviously that adds up further. But it is one of those things that is hard to put a figure on.”

But the region’s tourism boss said local recovery efforts hoped to boost the city’s recovery by focusing on other “key markets” such as visiting friends and family, and domestic short breaks.

“Our region is built on events,” he said. “One of the biggest reasons people travel to Geelong and the Bellarine is for events, so that’s why certainly in our recovery programs we are focused on other core source markets.”

Geelong Mayor Stephanie Asher said it was “disappointing” the Teachers’ Games would not proceed as planned in 2020, but shared her excitement that the Games would be held in Geelong in September 2021.

“The event was an outstanding success in 2019, with 5500 participants from across Victoria in 46 events,” Cr Asher said.

“The Teachers’ Games generated an estimated $1.8 million of economic expenditure in the region, and we anticipate a similar economic boost from the next event.

“Geelong hosted the very first Victorian Teachers’ Games 25 years ago and has now hosted the event successfully five times.

“We are thrilled to be the host city for the 25th anniversary event, which will now be held in 2021.”

Victorian Teachers’ Games organisers this announced on Friday the 2020 event would be postponed.