Louis Vuitton Pacific ticks all boxes for AK

Media Release

Louis Vuitton Pacific Series ticks all the boxes for Auckland

Friday 30 January, 2009

AucklandPlus, Tourism Auckland and Auckland City Council have joined forces to ensure that Auckland and its residents reap maximum benefits from Louis Vuitton Pacific Series which begins today.

Mayor of Auckland Hon. John Banks says the high calibre regatta is a welcome addition to Auckland’s sporting calendar.

“The event presents a great opportunity to showcase Auckland’s waterfront to overseas media and international visitors.”

He says the series will also provide three weekends of great entertainment for Aucklanders.

“We encourage the public to get out and view the world’s top crews in action from one of the vantage points along the waterfront, or from the throng of the event village.”

AucklandPlus Chairman Michael Barnett says that as well as enjoying the event itself Aucklanders will benefit in other ways.

“International coverage of this event will put Auckland in the global spotlight at a time when we need to be competing for other cities around the world for visitors and investment.

He says AucklandPlus, the region’s economic development agency, is working with New Zealand Trade and Enterprise to link with existing and potential investors during the regatta.

“The timing of the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and Millennium Cup means there are a number of potential investors here so we will connect them to key industry sectors in Auckland such as marine, biotech, specialised manufacture and digital content.

“Major events like this are a superb platform for industry and business promotion and this one is very timely.”

Tourism Auckland CEO Graeme Osborne says the regatta is a boom for the visitor market.

“Global media coverage of the event will provide fantastic international profiling for 'Brand Auckland' while the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series will significantly boost visitor numbers and visitor spend in the region.

“We anticipate up to 3,000 extra visitors will come to Auckland specifically for the regatta, along with the racing teams, their families and at least 150 international media.

He says Auckland's major accommodation providers are reporting increased occupancy rates, which will have a positive flow-on effect across the industry. It is estimated that additional direct spend in the Auckland economy from the event will be in the order of $1m per day.

AucklandPlus, Tourism Auckland and Auckland City Council have also worked together with Taylormade Media on the 3D animation of Auckland’s CBD which is part of the virtual coverage of the regatta.

The 3D animation model has the potential to be extended between now and Rugby World Cup 2011 and there are any number of potential uses for it including infrastructure planning and transport information.

Other benefits flowing from the Louis Vuitton Pacific Series and Millennium Cup events include a boost to the marine industry through superyacht repairs and refits.

The joint approach to this event is one of many collaborative initiatives around major events for Auckland.

ENDS

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