New data shows that spending on dining and
entertainment in Greater Geelong increased by 26 per cent – or $1.3 million –
on the night of the ground-breaking Foo Fighters concert.
Data from Spendmapp shows that spending on dining
and entertainment increased by 26 per cent or $1.3 million on the day of the
concert (Friday 4 March) - compared to the previous Friday. Travel related
spending increased by 10 per cent.
The return of
stadium rock to Victoria after two years of COVID-19 lockdowns provided a
historic boost for Geelong’s night-time economy, which refers to activities that
take place between 6pm and 6am.
Spendmapp data shows most of the spending was driven by fans travelling to Geelong, with visitor spending in the suburbs of Geelong and South Geelong increasing by 75 per cent ($1 million) on the day of the Foo Fighters concert.
The Foo Fighters were brought to Geelong thanks to the Victorian Government’s ALWAYS LIVE program, which is the biggest program of its kind in the southern hemisphere.
The City is working with event organisers to ensure there’s plenty of other major events coming up to help the industry recover from the impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic.
The return of White Night Geelong in October will kick-off a bumper month of major events, including the T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup and the return of local family favourites the Royal Geelong Show and the Geelong Cup.
White Night will be held on Saturday, 8 October 2022, while the T20 Men’s Cricket World Cup will bring thousands of visitors to Greater Geelong for a celebration of cricket, culture and community from 16 October 2022.
For more information visit Events Geelong.
Deputy Mayor Trent Sullivan
Geelong and South Geelong recorded the highest night-time
spending we’ve seen since our records began in 2018. The Foo Fighters gig
surpassed the spending we would typically expect to see in the days leading up
to Christmas.
Hosting one of the world’s biggest rock bands
before 30,000 fans was a night to remember, and a sign that Geelong is going
through a real renaissance. The brand benefits for Geelong were enormous, with
packed restaurants on Pako and Little Malop Street and hotels and Airbnbs booked
out across the region.It wasn’t just travellers from Melbourne, the City
was buzzing with Foo Fighters fans from across Victoria and Australia.
Councillor Eddy Kontelj
Every major event we can bring to Geelong
increases spending at our entertainment and hospitality venues. The previous White Night attracted more than
70,000 people so we’re hoping that the spectacular display provides a boost for
our restaurants, cafes and bars.