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Targa Tasmania helps economy

Targa pumps $100-million into Tasmanian economy. WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3: The annual Targa Tasmania tarmac rally, to be held for the 11th time later this month, has injected a total of $100-million into the State's economy in the 10 years since its ...

Targa pumps $100-million into Tasmanian economy.

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 3: The annual Targa Tasmania tarmac rally, to be held for the 11th time later this month, has injected a total of $100-million into the State's economy in the 10 years since its inception in 1992.

Targa General Manager Rob McGuire said that a survey by Tourism Tasmania and the Bureau of Statistics had documented the event brought $5-million into the State each year, and there was an annual flow-on effect of another $5-million.

"The new tourism dollars that have come into Tasmania as a result of Targa in the past 10 years has been of great value to the local economy, and we plan to build on that in the future," said McGuire.

"Importantly, the event visits all parts of Tasmania, not just the cities, so many smaller communities and towns are sharing in these benefits."

McGuire said this year's event from April 16-21 over 1,977km would attract about 1,500 mainland and international competitors to Tasmania, plus service crews, manufacturer personnel, and others associated with the rally.

He said they were all expected to spend a minimum of 10 days in Tasmania, generating around 15,000 overnight accommodation bookings, and providing a financial boost for travel operators and airlines.

"On top of that around 30-percent of the teams will visit Tasmania on a reconnaissance trip at some point in the year, doubling their spending and exposure to the State's attractions," said McGuire.

McGuire said the Tasmanian branch of Octagon Worldwide, owners and producers of Targa, dealt with approximately 100 businesses in the State who were suppliers or provided necessary services for the event.

"We are spending money with local businesses on things ranging from accommodation and travel for our officials, down to smaller items such as printing and stationery," said McGuire.

"Local charities and service clubs also benefit from fund-raising activities during Targa such as providing lunches and washing cars."

McGuire said that the Tasmanian Government's Department of State Development placed a high level of importance on the promotional benefits of the event.

"High-profile manufacturer teams and competitors such as Jim Richards, Peter Brock, Neal Bates and others are publicity-magnets," he said.

"They create a lot of media attention for Targa and Tasmania, and that ultimately helps with tourism."

McGuire said Targa's capacity to attract involvement from almost 3,000 volunteers annually from all areas of the State reflected the pride Tasmanians had in the success of the event.

"It's a big job with close to 300 cars on the road for five days, but the people of Tasmania are happy to get behind it and we couldn't do it without their support," he said.

Octagon Worldwide is the sports marketing and entertainment division of the Interpublic Group, one of the world's largest advertising and marketing communications groups. Its other motorsport events in Australia include the Grand Prix Rally in Victoria in March and the Australian Safari international cross-country rally in NSW in August.

-ow-

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