Economic Impact of Warbirds Over Wanaka

Wanaka: A new independent report has reaffirmed the major economic impact on the region of the Warbirds Over Wanaka International Airshow.

An Economic Impact and Market Research Report following this year’s event puts the overall economic impact at $21.6 million, a 16% increase on the last Airshow to be surveyed in 2010.

The report has also confirmed the event remains popular with visitors with 90 percent of respondents rating the Airshow as either good or very good, citing impressive aircraft, overall enjoyment/entertainment and good organisation as the major reasons.

Including the new Rides Day, 48.239 people attended the Airshow with a resulting 114,000 “Twenty-five years on, Warbirds Over Wanaka is still one of the biggest and best Airshows of its kind in the world and this report proves it,” said Airshow General Manager, Ed Taylor.

“It is a testament to the early vision of Sir Tim Wallis and the hard work of thousands of volunteers over the years that we are still rated in the top four Warbirds Airshows in the world, alongside great shows like Flying Legends at Duxford in England.”

Another positive for organisers was the small number of areas where respondents felt the Airshow could be improved. “A perennial problem is dust and that got mentioned by a few people. Hopefully that will be a lot less of a problem in 2016 with the new irrigation system currently being installed at Wanaka Airport,” said Ed.

The Warbirds Over Wanaka Economic Impact and Market Research Report was compiled by Opinions Market Research Limited of Christchurch.

The next Airshow dates are March 25, 26 and 27th

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