STAWELL - Halls Gap Tourism has announced it will put $1,500 towards sponsoring the main race of the inaugural Halls Gap Cup, to be held at Stawell Racecourse next Friday.
The tourist town's key business group has partnered with Stawell Racing Club to bring holiday makers, locals and regular punters the eight-race program, which also falls on the popular 'Ladies Day'.
Halls Gap Tourism Chair Geoff Watts said the decision to get involved with the race day was a marketing strategy the committee was keen to trial.
"The January races in Stawell are traditionally one of the top three meetings for the year, so we were keen to tap into this event," Mr Watts said.
"Not only will Halls Gap Tourism sponsor the main race, we'll be organising return buses from Halls Gap via Pomonal so visitors can experience the best of both worlds.
"Time relaxing in the beautiful Grampians and then a big day out at the races in Stawell.
"We hope that people will come to Halls Gap for a couple of nights and make a real trip of it."
Mr Watts said Halls Gap Tourism had been trialling a range of new marketing activities this year, including a highly successful television advertising campaign last winter.
"With the January races, we are excited to partner with one of the region's major events to help us tap into new audiences and raise awareness of the wonderful accommodation, shopping, dining and adventure activities on offer in Halls Gap.
Visitors travelling between the two towns can also learn what else is on offer along this corridor."
