$30m Lions share roaring into town
British and Irish Lions fans are expected to inject $30 million into Wellington’s regional economy during their week-long stay.
Wellington Regional Economic Development Agency (Wreda) estimates that when the sold-out test match kicks off at Westpac Stadium on Saturday, 25,000 visitors will have packed into Wellington – about three-quarters of them international tourists.
The test follows a mid-week game between the Lions and the Hurricanes tomorrow night.
Wellingtonians are gearing up for the once-in-12-year event, which looks set to be the busiest weekend in the city’s history.
Wellington was primed and ready to give fans a memorable and enjoyable experience, Wreda spokesman Derek Fry said.
‘‘This is an opportunity to create thousands of unofficial Wellington ambassadors, who’ll return home to the UK and elsewhere, full of tales of the warm welcome they received.’’
One of the biggest winners will be the hospitality sector, which is going to great lengths to ensure fans have a memorable time.
The city’s official familyfriendly fan zone will be at Odlins Plaza on Wellington’s waterfront, while an unofficial fan zone has been set up on Queens Wharf by Jamie Williams, chief executive of the Wellington Hospitality Group.
He has invested in two inflatable pubs and a craft beer ambulance to get the party started.
He wanted to show the fans that Wellington was unlike the other cities they have been to.
‘‘For hospitality staff the Lions week is the ultimate challenge.
‘‘Everyone is keen to ensure Wellington stands out in the fans’ memories as being the best stop of their tour.’’ The city was not treating the tour as a smash-andgrab but as an opportunity to show what the coolest little capital could do, he said.
His 20 pubs and eateries will have their busiest week, generating between three and five times the normal weekly turnover, and he was employing an extra 100 staff, to work alongside his 460 staff, for the event.
‘‘We have hired two 40-foot refrigerated containers to store additional beer and food in case suppliers are struggling. This means we will have 400 extra kegs available if required, allowing us to control delivery timeframes to our venues.’’
He was expecting to serve two tonnes of fries, pour between 1100 and 1400 kegs of beer, and provide 4000 breakfasts during the week.
Across the region, the hospitality and accommodation sectors would naturally prosper, but the impact would be felt much more widely, Fry said.
‘‘From increased orders to regional food and beverage producers, to delivery drivers, retail workers, transport workers, tourism operators, cleaners and much more, this event will put money in the pockets of a huge number of Wellingtonians.’’
More than 1000 temporary jobs had been created during the the week, which included an extra 300 roles at Westpac Stadium, he said.
Stadium staff were preparing to dish out 29,000 hot dogs, 21,000 hamburgers and 4.4 tonnes of chips to hungry fans over the two games.