VICTORIAN hotels and businesses are expected to earn up to $10.5 million from golf superstar Tiger Woods’ visit to the 2009 Australian Masters in
November. An economic assessment of his presence by Ernest & Young estimates that crowds in excess of 80,000 will attend the tournament, and the overall benefit to the Victorian economy will range from $15.9 million to $19.1 million. The level of direct spending by visitors to the six-day tournament at Kingston Heath Golf Club is expected to be between $8.7 million and $10.5 million. The secret report for the Victorian Major Events Company, seen by the Herald Sun, expects a huge number of big-spending international and interstate visitors. “With a total venue capacity over the six ticketed days of approximately 123,000, a high scenario of 80,750 attendances is likely to be exceeded,” the report said. Ticketek has already established a waiting list for prospective fans. Further details and ticket prices are expected to be revealed today. Premier John Brumby said yesterday the Government had made a sound decision.
“It will bring tens of thousands of tourists to our state. It will put us on the map internationally, and in every sense it has been a great investment,” he said. The Government, which is the chief backer of the Masters, said there had already been a jump in hotel bookings from international visitors.