Val Schier - Creating new events: Eclipse Marathon

Thursday, 19 August 2010 08:13

Council and TTNQ have combined to develop an events strategy to secure, create and develop new events that will attract visitors to the region specifically for the event, as well as enable locals to join in too. It's common sense for us to focus on and develop our assets: the spectacular natural environment which makes sporting events and extreme sports very attractive, and our strong and distinctive cultural and arts activities. One event attracting a lot of interest - and one which Council really wants to get behind - is the proposed Eclipse Marathon which will be held at Port Douglas starting at the time of a total eclipse of the sun early on the morning of 14 November 2014.

This event will bring 3,000 people into the region for 6 days and it's likely that participants will spend much more than the average of $1,000 per person per visit. The result will be more than $5M into the regional economy and the proposal is to make it an annual event. Council expects that new event ideas will be initiated once it becomes known that funding is available for major events and that a Council officer will be a designated contact point to assist with applications. The Davis Cup and other tennis events in September will also attract visitors, as will the Cairns Amateurs in the first week of September.