Tweed Bookings Are Booming For World Rally Championship

Bookings for September’s Repco Rally Australia have started flowing in, signally an economic bonanza for Tweed accommodation houses and function venues.

As the official event accommodation providers, the Stella Group’s four Tweed Coast properties – Mantra on Salt Beach, Peppers Salt Resort & Spa, Peppers Bale SALT and BreakFree Paradiso at Kingscliff – are almost fully booked for the entire week surrounding the four-day event which will run from September 3 to 6.

“The Kingscliff and Mantra properties are totally sold out and Peppers and Peppers Bale are around 70% booked,” said Scott O’Neile, Stella’s Regional Sales and Marketing Manager.

“The majority of the officials, sponsors, factory teams and media will be staying with us, as well as many spectators.

“The rally organisers have also booked up all of our function spaces, including the ballroom at Mantra on Salt Beach which will serve as the Media Centre.

“There are still rooms left, however bookings have been coming in fast since Ticketek released tickets to the stages throughout the local area so anyone wanting to stay at Peppers Salt Resort & Spa or Peppers Bale SALT during the event should make their bookings now through the World Rally Championship website.” (www.rallyaustralia.com)

Smaller accommodation providers are also feeling the impact. Julie Mackintosh at the Kingscliff Seaside Guesthouse reports that their luxury suites have been fully booked out for the week by one of the international teams.

According to Tweed Tourism, several large functions have already been confirmed, including one for 200 Pirelli Tyre dealers at Twin Towns on the Saturday of the three-day event.

“In addition to providing a lifeline for the popular Speed on Tweed event, the World Rally Championship will also bring two other major motoring events to the Tweed/Kyogle region,” said Tweed Tourism General Manager, Phil Villiers.

“The Classic Outback Trial will leave Forbes on August 30, travelling through NSW via Coonabarabran and Casino to finish their week-long rally with two days of competition over some of the World Rally Championship special stages.

“They have booked a function for 150 participants at the new Tweed Ultima Conference Centre on the Saturday night, along with accommodation in the Tweed region.

“Organisers of the Australian Tarmac Challenge (formerly known as the Dutton Rally) have positioned the NSW round as the signature event of their 2009 National Series, heading off from Sydney on September 3 and travelling up the coast to compete on the WRC Super Special Stage, followed by a function for 200 people at Signatures Restaurant in Outrigger Twin Towns Resort.”

The Tweed is also set to benefit from international television exposure, with some 180 media representatives expected to fly in from all over the world.

“The Rally will be telecast on 250 networks worldwide, streaming images of the Tweed and Northern NSW to viewers in 180 countries,” said Mr Villiers.

“As such, the media centre at Peppers Salt Resort and Spa will be a hub of activity for journalists, photographers, camera crews and commentators.

“The World Rally Championship is the premier rally event worldwide, watched by more than 816 million people last year, making it the highest profile motorsports after Formula One.

“We are very mindful that people living in the region have differing views on the event, but now that it is a reality we should be doing everything we can to ensure that we get the maximum economic benefit and take full advantage of the worldwide marketing opportunity it offers our region.”

Tickets for the World Rally Championship are now on sale from Ticketek outlets or online at www.ticketek.com.au, with prices starting from $22. Spectators and locals will also be able to be part of all the excitement at the Service Centre which will be set up at the Cudgen Sportsground.