The Queensland Government has locked in a deal with The IRONMAN Group Oceania for the state to host a series of major sporting events over the next five years.
The events include the Ironman Asia-Pacific Championship Cairns, Noosa Triathlon, Ironman 70.3 Sunshine Coast, Mooloolaba Triathlon and Runaway Noosa Marathon.
“This is a wonderful announcement for competitors, spectators and tourism operators in the Tropical North ahead of Sunday’s iconic Cairns Airport Ironman Asia-Pacific Championships,” said Assistant Tourism Minister Michael Healy.
“The world’s best Ironman is also a bonanza for Tropical North Queensland’s visitor economy, delivering more than $12.3 million this weekend for accommodation, hospitality and tourism operators.
“Ironman is one of 21 events secured by the Palaszczuk Government for Tropical North Queensland, bringing more than 50,000 visitors and $50 million for the tourism economy annually.”
Tourism and Sport Minister Stirling Hinchliffe said the Ironman agreement will deliver five triathlon events a year over five years and deliver a $300 million boost for the visitor economies on the Sunshine Coast and Tropical North Queensland.
“The Palaszczuk Government invests in major events like Ironman because we know they bring visitors to Queensland destinations who in turn back local businesses and good Queensland jobs,” he said.
The IRONMAN Group Oceania managing director Geoff Meyer said the agreement allows them to grow the events.
“With the long-term future of these events secured we look forward to working closely with the Queensland Government to continue to grow them, bringing more people to the state and showing off Queensland as the host of world-class mass participation sporting events,” he said.
