WOLLONGONG 2022 COURSE LAUNCH AN EXCITING MOMENT FOR BUSINESSES
10 December 2021
Speaking at the course launch of the 2022 UCI Road World Championships to be held in Wollongong from 18 to 25 September next year, Business Illawarra Executive Director, Adam Zarth highlighted the significant opportunities for business that will arise from the event and its legacy.
Business Illawarra has welcomed the significant economic benefits of the event for the region, which will include major opportunities for local businesses and will significantly boost the profile of the city of Wollongong and the Illawarra.
It is estimated that as many as 12,000 international visitors will travel to Australia for the event and that 300,000 spectators will line the streets of Wollongong across the 8-day event. The event is further predicted to deliver between $18.4 million and $23.9 million in direct international visitor expenditure and drive $95 million in total economic output into the economy. Over 400 direct and indirect full-time equivalent jobs will be created providing a further boost to employment in the region.
“The UCI world championships and Wollongong’s UCI Bike City status will put a spotlight on our great region, attract investment and visitation and benefit businesses right across the region for many years to come,” said Mr Zarth.
“Business Illawarra is working with the organisers to maximise opportunities for local businesses to supply the goods and services used in the course of the event, and business owners should be planning now how to get involved and making the required connections and preparations to capitalise on the opportunities ahead.”
“Local businesses can be assured that the event organisers are working hard to minimise disruption to their activity through the event period and with the launch of the courses today, businesses can now start planning well in advance to work around what disruption does occur.”
“The demand for accommodation and other tourist related services in Wollongong is predicted to go beyond the capacity of the City itself during the event, which will create further opportunities for businesses right across the Illawarra,” said Mr Zarth.