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Geelong Advertiser Tourism boon as Day on the Green sells out

http://www.geelongadvertiser.com.au/...7144_news.html

Nathan Hale | June 14th, 2013

GEELONG is set for a multi-million dollar windfall after tickets to Fleetwood Mac's appearance at A Day on the Green sold out in record time.

It took just 90 minutes for the 14,000 tickets to sell for the November 30 concert to be held at The Hill Winery.

Geelong Otway Tourism boss Roger Grant labelled the demand for the performance as a welcome respite following a string of bad jobs news recently.

"Tourism brings more than $1 billion to the region every year and you cannot underestimate the importance of events like this," he said.

"This type of event will bring in millions of dollars."

A Day on The Green promoter Michael Newton said yesterday's ticket frenzy was expected.

Mr Newton said the hype about one of the best-known bands in the world hitting our region was overwhelming.

"From the very first moment the concert was announced, the buzz has been just phenomenal," he said.

"We're absolutely delighted to be presenting this much-loved iconic band."

Following festivals such as Lorne's Falls, Meredith, the National Celtic Festival at Portarlington and local festivals at Apollo Bay, Queenscliff and Anglesea, music is becoming big business.

Mr Grant said the ability to host such events - coupled with the natural beauty of the Great Ocean Road and the Bellarine Peninsula - made the region an attractive destination.

"There are some terrific festivals and we now have a genuine competitive advantage in a national sense," Mr Grant said.

"Last weekend's Celtic Festival was just fabulous and music is recognised in our strategy as an important link.

"We have a great reputation and are ideally placed to take advantage of the increasing numbers of people who are doing three and four-day getaways."

Two concerts in the Day on the Green series were held at The Hill earlier this year.

In February about 7000 people watched Australian rock legends Hoodoo Gurus, The Angels with Dave Gleeson, Ross Wilson, Dragon and Boom Crash Opera, while nearly 10,000 people turned up to see Neil Young and his band Crazy Horse.