City of Ballarat has congratulated the Ballarat International Foto Biennale on the successful delivery of the drawcard event in 2019.
The two-month program drew to a close, with early indications are the event has attracted strong numbers across the 65 sites at which featured exhibits as part of the event program.
Earlier this year, City of Ballarat Council approved a five-year partnership agreement with the Ballarat International Foto Biennale to host the event in our creative city for a further period.
City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha Samantha McIntosh said the event was in line with the 2018-2028 Events Strategy and the Creative City Strategy.
"We're proud to support the Biennale and congratulate organisers on another successful year.
"We're see the Biennale as a key plank in continuing to deliver a diverse and exciting cultural events program for our residents and to grow our visitor economy, and to support and foster the growth of our creative sector."
"The partnership included $250,000 cash support, in addition to no-fee usage of City of Ballarat venues and assets including the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Ballarat Mining Exchange and Ballarat Town Hall.
Tourism numbers
Meanwhile, Tourism Research Australia figures show that overnight visitors to Ballarat increased by 25 percent in the year to June 2019, consistent with other regions in Victoria.
City of Ballarat Mayor Samantha Mcintosh said the figures reflect Ballarat's strong events and attractions offering.
"Events such as the Winter Festival, Begonia Festival, Heritage Weekend, as well as the profile we have built with sporting events such as the Cycling Australia Road Nationals, AFL in Ballarat, Women's Big Bash League cricket, soccer and an influx of large basketball competitions have contributed to this outcome."
"This combined with our stand-out draw-card attractions in Sovereign Hill, the Ballarat Wildlife Park, the Art Gallery of Ballarat, Lake Wendouree and Gardens and our growing food and beverage offering means we are rich in authentic experiences that visitors clearly value."
Mayor McIntosh said the results are certainly a step in the right direction and are proof that as a destination, Ballarat is growing each year as the must-see, must-visit place in Victoria.
"It's terrific to have more people staying overnight, and we will continue to work on ways to increase those stays to multiple nights and to entice visitors to spend more while they are here."
"As locals, we are rightly proud of our City and want to share what we love best with not only friends and family but with an entire new group of visitors. These most recent figures show that with the right investment in the best Ballarat has to offer, we can continue to grow and prosper and share that prosperity throughout the city and the region."
"Starting with our Family Fun Day this Saturday as part of Children's Week, we're entering an exciting calendar of great events for locals and visitors, including Ballarat Show Day, Ballarat Cup, the Spilt Milk music festival just in November. Heading into summer, we're looking forward to Christmas in Ballarat, Summer Sundays and the Cycling Road Nationals."
