THE World Youth Cup is bringing more than 100 people to Tamworth from across the world and has the cash registers ringing throughout the town, with more than $1 million expected to be injected into the local economy.
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The 20th American Quarter Horse Association International Youth World Cup opening ceremony, hosted by the Australian Quarter Horse Association (AQHA), has brought more than 100 competitors from 13 different countries to Tamworth and Australian Equine and Livestock Events Centre (AELEC) manager Mike Rowland said the event was another step towards putting the city on the map and a welcome economic boost, with an estimated visitor expenditure of more than $1 million.
“Over 100 competitors will represent 13 different countries and we are stoked to not only welcome them to Australia, but to show them what Tamworth has to offer,” he said.
Tamworth Regional Council investment and growth manager Craig Dunstan said it was a great event for Tamworth to have.
“The benefit of events like this is you see the visitors at the shops and coffee shops and they are spending money in the area,” he said.
“When you take into account the money that is spent and that they are investing locally, there are also the secondary benefits to that – the cups of coffee, restaurants, hotels and local shops.”
He said international visitors always spent more than domestic visitors, so the city loved having them visit.
The side-benefit to this was that people overseas associated Tamworth with country music and AELEC events complimented that theme.
“No matter when the international visitors come, they go home and talk about Tamworth and it helps the brand.”
Mr Dunstan said events like this were more spread out this year, meaning more benefits for local retailers and the hospitality industry.
The event runs until July 3 and is a combination of clinics and competitions where the participants are learning from some of the best in the world, within specific disciplines of the industry, including cutting, reining and western pleasure, before going on to display their skills by competing against one another.
This is the sixth time the event has been held in Australia and the second time Tamworth has been selected to host, joining the likes of Fort Worth, Texas and Calgary in Canada as previous hosts.