Sports tourism an extra boost

WHO needs the Commonwealth Games? The Far North certainly doesn’t. While we may get some spin-offs, such as hosting the Gold Coast 2018 Commonwealth Games basketball heats, in reality we will get next to nothing.

But it doesn’t matter as we are compiling a portfolio of world-class sporting events which is giving us another string to our tourism bow.

We are leading the way in sports tourism and attracting events year after year.

Starting from May 25 are three weekends of sporting joy in what is considered the best time of the year when the temperatures are cooler and there is, hopefully, no rain.

The Great Barrier Reef Masters Games and Ironman festivals bring thousands of participants and supporters to the Far North from throughout Australia and overseas.

On May 25 we host a second masters games followed by the start of Ironman activities over the following two weeks.

Both ventures will have the tills ringing to the tune of more than $10 million.

Not only do the athletes, their families and friends come for the actual events, but they come before or stay after to make the journey a holiday and enjoy all that the region has to offer.

These events are on top of the usual tourist visitation.

The region will be at its best with generally fine weather, sunny days and cloudless skies.

Almost every business will benefit, from taxis and rental cars, to convenience stores and service stations, hotels and motels, restaurants and bars.

It’s time to celebrate sports tourism. Nick Dalton nick.dalton@news.com.au