Run festival a boon for regional tourism
NEXT weekend’s 2018 Tropical Journeys Great Barrier Reef Marathon Festival is expected to inject close to $3 million dollars into the regional economy.
Runners from 15 countries including the USA, Canada, UK, Japan, China and Austria are expected to arrive in beautiful Port Douglas before the October 28 event.
Seventy per cent of the more than 2500 runners and the same number of family and friends are expected to stay and holiday after event, according to Tourism and Events Queensland.
Visitors stayed in the region for an average of three nights and in 2018 about 3000 room nights will be booked.
“The regional corporate and community support ensures that when runners arrive they feel the whole town is involved and the enthusiasm is infectious,” organiser Bruno Bennett said.
“And all this happens in a low tourism time of year so the benefits for local business is multiplied.”
Find out more at www.greatbarrierreefmarathon.com.au