COUNTRY Week officials are expecting the tournament to provide a massive tourism boost and inject as much as $1.75 million into the local economy.
Swan Hill Lawn Tennis Club president John Brookshaw says the tournament’s participation rate of “close to 1500 people” will be a record turnout for the annual event.
“Swan Hill seems to attract the most people to Country Week, we always get 200 to 300 more people than at any other venue,” Mr Brookshaw said.
“Basically this demographic are people who have got money — they can afford to spend, and do.
“So if tennis is called off for the day, the girls will go shopping and the boys will be in the pub — this is like a trip away for a lot of them.”
According to Mr Brookshaw, Swan Hill Rural City Council estimated the event would generate around $250,000 more into the local economy than in the past.
“A couple of years ago, we asked the banks to monitor their ATM flows, and they estimated at the time it was between $1.2 and 1.5 million that was taken out of their ATMs, above their normal expenditure,” he said.
“The council’s figures also show that past events have brought in about $1.5 million into the town, but this year, because we’ve got more participants, we’re expecting $1.75 million.”
For more on this story, pick up a copy of Friday’s Guardian (February 6).
