Money-spinning AIMS Games canned because of pandemic risks
The week-long event in September involved 11,500 intermediate-aged athletes from schools around New Zealand, the Cook Islands, Samoa, Tonga and Fiji competing in 23 sporting codes over six days.
Tourism Bay of Plenty chief executive Kristin Dunne said the loss of the AIMS Games would be felt deeply by the Bay’s tourism industry — but she supported the decision.
“The impact on our local economy is substantial with huge flow-on effects on accommodation, hospitality, retail and tourism activities.”
Dunne said the economic contribution was significant, especially during what would otherwise be a shoulder-season month for tourism, however, she understood Semple did “all she could” to assess whether the event could go ahead safely.
Hospitality Association regional manager Alan Sciascia said the AIMS Games were important for the region, including accommodation providers, restaurants and cafes.
He said it was a ”sad loss to the region”.
The association’s Bay of Plenty accommodation sector chairman and 850 Cameron Motel owner Tony Bullot said the AIMS Games was the busiest time of the year and it would be a big blow.
His motel, like others in the city, was booked out during the event but he said no one had banked on it going ahead. He felt for the organisers having to make the tough decision.
Tauranga Chamber of Commerce chief executive Matt Cowley said it was devastating for businesses that looked forward to the event each year: “The event books out nearly every spare bed throughout the Western Bay and surrounding areas.”
The organisation did a “wonderful job” at managing the measles outbreak last year, Cowley said, but he understood the challenges of running the event during Covid-19.
Tauranga Mayor Tenby Powell said the city loved hosting the AIMS Games but there were just too many complicating factors.
“The AIMS Games brings quite extraordinary cultural, sporting and economic value to the Tauranga community and we not only look forward to welcoming it back in 2021 but also building on the phenomenal success of past years’ events.”
The next AIMS Games will run from Saturday, September 4, to Friday, September 10, 2021.