MotoGP cancellation at Phillip Island leaves the local economy with $ 42 million worse off
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“This is absolutely critical,” he said. “This is the second year that we have lost this significant event during COVID.”
She said MotoGP accounted for up to 10 percent of the turnover of some companies each year.
Economic analysis provided by Bass Coast Shire showed that overall visitor spending had contributed $ 549 million to the region with the equivalent of 4,400 full-time jobs prior to the pandemic.
The MotoGP, which was held earlier in October, provided a significant financial boost to Phillip Island businesses outside of the busy school holidays.
Ms Wastie insisted that there was a need to improve the tourism infrastructure on Phillip Island and Bass Coast, but taxpayers could not bear the cost alone.
“We need to have these one-generation projects to get the economy going again,” he said.
Pino’s Trattoria co-owner Romina Scarlato said the motorcycle race helped diversify the Phillip Island tourism market with teams from around the world and fans traveling from all over Australia.
Many of them returned year after year, Scarlato said.
“We see them as friends and family,” he said.
Scarlato said the event also brought a lively atmosphere to Phillip Island and an “element of the Euro” from international teams.
“You often hear passengers name the Phillip Island location as their favorite.”
The MotoGP at Phillip Island has now been canceled twice. Credit:AP
The Bass Coast Shire is now hoping to draw a Supercars race to Phillip Island, although the event is likely to be much smaller than the motorcycle grand prix.
A government spokesperson said it had consistently supported Phillip Island’s tourism industry, including obtaining MotoGP through 2026 and investing nearly $ 50 million in the penguin parade visitor center.
“We are talking to Supercars about opportunities for next season and we will have more to say when we can,” he said.
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A Supercars spokesperson declined to comment on whether Phillip Island would host a race, but said discussions were underway about a possible venue for an event in October.
Geoff Moed, owner of the A Maze’n Things theme park, said the three days of MotoGP brought few direct benefits to his business while it was running. But fans often returned later to their families.
He said that while the race could be noisy, Phillip Island residents were very supportive of the event.
“They see that the neighbors are busy and that business is going well,” Moed said.
But he believed that Phillip Island’s range of tourist offerings should be better marketed to domestic visitors. “There are many companies that spend more money on advertising abroad than at home.”
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