She believes events like rugby are important to kick-start to the local economy. “Certainly the recognition of having these big events and smaller events and conferences, these are all things that bring people in, but we definitely want a calendar year full of events." Hamilton Airport CEO Mark Morgan said the Hamilton Airport Hotel benefited from the Chiefs game with occupancy jumping to 75 per cent. Waikato University's Associate Professor in Economics Michael Cameron said events like the rugby probably have a very small effect on the economy. “The reality is if we take the Chiefs game... it is still only one night and not all of those people are spending other than going to the game.

Source: Stuff June 22, 2020 03:33 UTC