Tourism equals dollars. Dollars feed local communities. Great news then for Scone, the Hunter Valley generally, and also the area's thoroughbred industry with the release of a Tourism Research Australia report on tourist spending in regional areas in 2004.

The report states that:

"Local tourists directly spent $51.1 billion in Australia last year, while international tourists spent $12.6 billion. Of the total $63.7 billion, $30.6 billion was spent in regional Australia.

"Research also found 54 per cent of domestic visitors' expenditure was spent in regional areas, "emphasising the importance of domestic visitors to regional Australia". "

The flow-on effect from these positive numbers should assist thoroughbred studs/related services who are promoting their products/services during the Scone and Upper Hunter Horse Festival. They will also be able to leverage from additional marketing efforts (and significant dollars) being invested by Tourism Australia aimed at "increasing total and average length of stay and grow dispersal and regional visitor spend by encouraging visitors to travel outside major gateways".

This should certainly add some scope for 'premium' sponsorship opportunities with various events held during the Festival. Great for promoters. Great for advertisers in terms of profile.

It's always nice to see these win-win marketing situations when they crop up.

Source: The Scone Advocate