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Grace Kelly: Style Icon has surpassed economic expectations, injecting $17 million into Bendigo’s economy.
The three-month exhibition, which closes this Sunday, has smashed box office records and almost doubled economic forecasts.
Before Grace Kelly: Style Icon opened it was tipped the event would attract 100,000 visitors and contribute $10 million to Bendigo’s economy.
Tourism Minister Louise Asher announced on Saturday that the collection had attracted more than 135,000 people.
“Bendigo is one of Victoria’s major cultural and heritage destinations, and the city has been brimming with tourists from across the state, around the country and even overseas,” Ms Asher said.
“Preliminary estimates from the City of Greater Bendigo show that the exhibition has had an economic impact of an approximately $17 million; an outstanding result.”
Princess Charlene of Monaco travelled to Bendigo to open the exhibition on behalf of her husband, Albert, Princess Grace’s son.
Her visit attracted global attention on central Victoria.
The collection is from London’s Victoria and Albert Museum and Monaco’s Grimaldi Forum, and traces the life of Grace Kelly from Hollywood star to royal princess.
The Bendigo Art Gallery was the only location chosen to host the exhibition in Australia.
The collection has previously visited Monaco, Rome, New York and London.
It had been a “triumph” for central Victoria, Ms Asher said.
“It is a stunning result for Bendigo and it is very important that regions, like Bendigo, benefit from major events.
“There has been a huge economic boost for a whole range of businesses, hotels, motels, restaurants and retailers.
“This is a huge cultural event and 135,000 ticket sales have been handled by all these businesses quite easily.”
Bendigo Art Gallery director Karen Quinlan said the gallery had worked hard to cater for the exhibition’s popularity.
“We are extending the hours to accommodate those people who can’t get a ticket; the weekends are pretty much sold out,” she said.
“We have added some extra times at night and then next Saturday it will be open until midnight.”
Ms Quinlan said the popularity of the exhibition had surpassed her expectations.
“It is a bit of a shock, but it has been steadily busy since it opened,” she said.
“We have another week to go and we are looking at very big days ahead.” The Bendigo Art Gallery will undergo a $7.55-million expansion after the Grace Kelly exhibition closes.
The Australian Goldfields Open snooker championship will be the next international event to shine a light on Bendigo.
Ms Asher said she expected Bendigo would receive an economic boost from hosting the event next month.
“It is the second year the championships will be on; it is another event that was secured under my major events fund,” she said.
“It was successful last year and we hope that it is more successful this year.”