Big Rally Will Contribute To South Island Economy

Big Rally Will Contribute An Estimated $7 - 9 Million To The South Island Economy

When the seven day International Silver Fern Marathon Rally gets underway from Picton on Saturday, the 70 entrants, their teams, supporters and spectators will inject an estimated $7-9 million into the South Island economy.

With 21 international competitors in the 70 strong field having already spent significant amounts just to come to the event, they will be looking to New Zealand's South Island to shown them a good time and encourage them to stay on a while or return another day. NZ's South Island has much to offer.

Each of the teams will bring with them up to 10 people, and there will be about 500 volunteer officials needed to run the event, add to that an estimated 4 to 5000 daily spectators, business's in the food and beverage industry, petrol stations and accommodation suppliers stand to fare well.

From the projected economic impact report, the event will utilise 25,000 bed nights, backed up by event sponsor Scenic Circle Hotels filling all their Hotel beds for the dates of the event, and within weeks of their sponsorship announcement, way back in July. The overnight Rally HQ's will be based at Scenic Circle Hotels along the route.

Part of the rally promotion has being angled towards the scenic South Island, the great New Zealand Rally roads, the potential for tourism, and the benefits to local communities for fundraising along the route, or just for the smaller communities who very seldom see an International event right on their doorstep to become involved by providing some of the volunteer marshals.

Organisers expect benefits will flow on down to these smaller areas, so if you own the Pie Shop in Omakau or the service station in Middlemarch, stock up as there will be hundred's of people driving past your door (and hopefully stopping)during the rally days next week.

The NZ Silver Fern Rally will start from Picton's High Street, at midday on Saturday October 7th, and continue for seven days with overnight stops in Greymouth, Queenstown, Dunedin and Christchurch before returning via Nelson to the finish in Blenheim on October 14th.

Event organisers would like to acknowledge the assistance of sponsors, Scenic Circle Hotels, Budget Rentals, Team Talk Mobile, Variety the Children's Charity, Kea Campers NZ, and BP Ultimate.

Full details of the event, are available from :- www.silverfernrally.co.nz

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