7ththFeb Feb2014 2018 27 Jan-- 12 3rdthFeb
FIRST ON THE STREET
No No 434 636
LAKES WEEKLY BULLETIN
1 J IN O 21 SI BS D E
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In the first week of March, iconic Queenstown golf courses Millbrook and The Hills play host to the 99th running of the ISPS Handa New Zealand Open. The event has much significance to both Queenstown and the Lakes District as well as New Zealand as a whole. Tourism in general has become such a vital part of our economy, and more specifically, the golf tourism sector itself is at the very high end of that scale. One of many interesting statistics gathered by Tourism New Zealand refers to the fact that 41% of all visitors who come here to play golf have a strong propensity to visit a winery, as against 25% of all “holiday visitors”. Clearly golfers enjoy their wine! Another statistic tells us that the average spend of a golf visitor to New Zealand from the USA equates to $19,000 per person – and remember, that figure is an average spend. So with golf tourism delivering such spectacular economic impact, how does the New Zealand Open assist in this process? Obviously, the broadcast of the event showcases the stunning beauty of the region, as well of course, as showing the spectacular and in many ways unique things that both of these golf courses offer to a potential tourist. From the majestic setting of both venues, to the sculptures at the Hills, to the rustic beauty of the Millhouse at Millbrook, the images screened to the world offer the greatest advertisement that our region can offer. The tournament also features a one-day Pro-Am event at Jack’s Point, ensuring that all three courses are featured in the broadcast. Now we all know that golf tournaments are on TV from all corners of the globe pretty much every week; but few, if any, have the backdrop that Queenstown offers. Indeed, our TV show producer this year (who is based in Singapore and works on tournaments all through Asia and Europe) is as excited about the ’colour stories’ that we produce, as much as the golf itself.
The Weber Brother’s circus is in town! Get along and catch the Ring Mistress, FMX riders and the amazing Human Canon in the big top at the old High School all this week.
(Photo: Jodi Walters)
Overall we will have 16 hours of live television over 4 days, broadcasting into every major market in the world; for the first time ever the event will be live on the Golf Channel in the USA, as well as featuring on major TV networks throughout the entire South East Asian region (including of course key markets like Japan, China and India). In total over 770 million homes around the world have the potential to watch our broadcast! Our premier golf tournament is a wonderful showcase and advertisement, not only for golf, but on a much wider scale, for the region and all its beauty and unique offering. Michael Glading Tournament Director ISPS Handa New Zealand Open
www.qac.co.nz
LIVE MUSIC – ‘BAD NEWS’ THIS SATURDAY JOHN RAVENS WEATHER Last week John was 95% correct
RENTAL PROPERTIES
See inside back cover for our full list
TUES
WED
THUR
Few early Showers Mainly Fine with Mainly Fine with Light Winds Light Winds then Fine
FRI
SAT
SUN
MON
Cloudy Periods. Light Winds
Cloudy. Not Much Wind
A Few Early Clouds then Rain
Rain. Little Wind.