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2nd
April 2008
VICTORIOUS MELBOURNE RETAINS TITLE AS ULTIMATE SPORTS CITY
Melbourne, the state capital of Victoria in Australia, has been declared
the Ultimate Sports City 2008 according to SportBusiness International,
the world’s leading business publication on the sports industry.
The 2006 Commonwealth Games host has come out on top for the second time,
having previously been awarded the title 18 months ago. Melbourne has
beaten Germany’s capital city Berlin into second place and Australian
rival Sydney into third place, with London trailing in fourth.
Melbourne has retained the title of the best location in the world to
hold a sports event based on a strong performance in most of the categories
analysed, coming first in six out of the nine categories. Melbourne’s
robust list of annual major events, excellent sporting venues and strong
government support combined with its successful hosting of the Commonwealth
Games in 2006 are factors in the Australian city’s prominence as
a sporting host city.
Melbourne is home to key annual international events such as Formula 1™
ING Australian Grand Prix, the Australian Open Tennis Championships and
the Melbourne Cup - known in Australia as ‘the race that stops a
nation’.
This year, Melbourne is also hosting Rugby League World Cup 2008 and the
international Homeless World Cup, while further international events scheduled
for the future include the FIH Champions Trophy 2009 (hockey), the UCI
Road World Championships 2010 (cycling) and the biennial Presidents Cup
2011 (golf).
“If you’re a sports fan Melbourne is a must-visit city,”
said Claire Golding, Tourism Victoria’s Regional Manager –
UK & Europe.
“Many of its world-class sporting venues are strategically located
close to the central business district (CBD), making them easily accessible
for locals and visitors alike. And when the action ends there’s
a vibrant nightlife and restaurant scene to enjoy.”
Melbourne is continuing to enhance its sporting infrastructure with planned
developments including a new AUD$265 million, 31,500-capacity rectangular
pitch stadium that should be ready by 2009.
Experience the buzz of Melbourne during the Melbourne Cup this November:
Austravel (0844 412 4620, www.austravel.com) are offering packages from
£1,079, including return international flights from London Heathrow
to Melbourne with Cathay Pacific and nine nights at the three-star Alto
Hotel on Bourke, valid for travel throughout November. Prices based on
two sharing, Melbourne Cup tickets not included.
For more information on Melbourne and Victoria please visit www.visitmelbourne.com/uk
-Ends-
For media information, please
contact
Suzanne Holiday at suzanne@saltmarshpr.co.uk
or
David Ezra at david@saltmarshpr.co.uk
Tel: 020 7928 1600
Fax: 020 7928 1700
The Saltmarsh Partnership
The Copperfields
25 Copperfield Street
London SE1 0EN
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