Commercial Hotel, Mud Bar and Launceston hotels expect weekend AFL boost

The two games are slated in prime time slots on both Saturday and Sunday, and going on previous comparable matches this year their impacts are expected to seen a business boon in Launceston.

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Favourite Launceston watering hole the Commercial Hotel had seen an influx of frivolous footy fans after previous games, and owner Garry Laskey was anticipating the same thing to happen again.

Mr Laskey said having dual finals meant the situation this weekend had the potential to underscore a "massive" financial benefit.

"What can we say? We've got two finals in Tassie, something that has never happened before, and the timing of the games [3.20pm] is pretty good," he said.

"There'll be an increase to our traffic flow - there will be a heap of people who would like to see any of four different AFL teams play."

As soon as he could after the games were announced, Mr Laskey sprung into action to prepare for the weekend ahead. For the "Mersh" that meant ordering a few extra kegs of beer, preparing to serve more meals and adjusting the roster to ensure enough staff were on hand to cater for a potential influx of customers.

While pubs set to receive punters after their salubrious Saturday and Sunday undertakings at UTAS Stadium, cafes owners were also preparing for a change in fortunes.

Launceston hospitality heavyweight Don Cameron, who owns well-known restaurant Mud Bar, said the timing of the games was fortunate.

He said winter traditionally hit hospitality hard, but in 2021 the punch was stupefying and left many businesses on the brink.

"There is always a summer to winter fluctuation, but this year is particularly difficult with New South Wales and Victoria locked down," he said.

"Businesses are coping, but they're certainly not flourishing."

Mr Cameron said the two finals would mean his businesses would be able to offer the casual staff on their books work over the weekend.

Despite the fact a vast majority of the game attendees would be from Tasmania, and likely many from Launceston, Mr Cameron said previous games had seen locals be more forthcoming when it came to "loosening their purse strings".

"The football is a blessing ... It's just a feel good thing, [when it's on] everybody is happy, and they're more inclined to spend more money," he said.

"When we're busy it means the next place is busy, and the next place, and the next place, and the next place.

"This weekend is just a bonus, and we're thrilled."

The residual effect of the games were expected to be expansive. Previous AFL games in Launceston saw hotels full of travellers coming from interstate and throughout Tasmania, according to Vision Hotels director Brendon Deeley.

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Mr Deeley said despite the interstate travellers not being on the agenda this weekend, Vision Hotel bookings had already seen a "massive spike".

"We're already seeing an impact, thank goodness," he said.

"It's tougher now, with the lockdowns in NSW and Victoria than it was last year.

"All of a sudden we got this spike and it was like old times again. I imagine we are going to book out at all three Launceston hotels."

Mr Deeley said the spikes were critical to sustain a hotel industry that was hurting - from management through to reception staff.

"If we run full we'll have to clean every single room, the maintenance guy will have more work cut out for him, reception will be busy - there will be more work for everybody," he said.

"I don't think anyone is wanting to make a buck, they're just wanting to keep their staff on, and support their staff as best they can."

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