This has been proven with both event categories at the Tasmanian Tourism Awards won by Launceston events.

The two events have experienced interesting paths, which continue to weave and develop.

Hawthorn Football Club has said time and time again that they are committed to Launceston.

In turn they ask for our support through attending games and/or taking up membership.

The club’s economic impact for Northern Tasmania in 2017 was valued at $28.5 million.

The total attendance of the five games in 2017 was 61,301.

About a quarter of attendees were made up of interstate or overseas visitors and 77 per cent of interstate and international visitors spent at least one night in Tasmania.

The direct and indirect expenditure figure was $19.8 million in match attendee spend, which was 13 per cent higher than the last study conducted in 2014.

What is disappointing is the matches we get every year, with many non-Victorian and bottom of the ladder teams visiting. This would make Hawthorn’s job harder – to have an economic impact.

They make up for this with many community days both in the on and off season.

Festivale is also an event often critiqued because of it’s location and price.

This is unfair criticism. The event is starting to grow national attention. 

It’s more than a food and wine festival.

Festivale is three-days of masterclasses, kids’ entertainment, comedy and musical legends.

Mona Foma moving to Launceston is another tick in the box of Launceston being the place to hold an event.

And to top it all off, we will be hosting the national tourism awards in 2019.

Congratulations to all the winners and finalists in the Tasmanian Tourism Awards.

Thank you for contributing to our region and offering services and events for Tasmanians and visitors to our state.