Games brings record visitor numbers

20 Mar 06 05:03

Record number of visitors welcomed to Melbourne during the Games.

Early indications suggest Melbourne is on track to receive 90,000 visitors from overseas and interstate. The boosted visitor numbers are expected to inject an estimated $270 million into the State’s economy.

The Premier of Victoria, Steve Bracks said the increased visitor numbers for the Opening Ceremony set a new record for Melbourne’s hotel industry.

“95% of the 20,000 hotel rooms in Melbourne were sold for the Opening Ceremony, making it the busiest midweek night in the history of Melbourne’s hotel industry,” Mr Bracks said.

“And with more than 3,000 new hotel beds in the past 3 years, Melbourne has never had a higher capacity.”

“So when people say ‘where the bloody hell are you?’ We tell them they are here in Melbourne for the Commonwealth Games.”

Games Chief Executive, John Harnden confirmed that the Opening Ceremony was also a hit with Games visitors.

“It’s great to know that not only do we have a worldwide viewing audience of 1.5 billion tuning in to the Games, but we also know that people from across Australia and around the world are coming here to experience this great sporting and cultural event first hand.”

“It is estimated that 20% of all 1.5 million tickets sold so far are to visitors to Melbourne.”

The Games accommodation hotline 1300 133 232, operating since November 2004, has been an popular resource for visitors, enabling them to find out the availability of rooms across 140 participating hotels.

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