FOR the first time ever, they had to turn people away from the gate at the Henty Field Days in NSW.

This season the Mt Hotham Ski Resort reports it has welcomed more visitors than ever before.

It's the same all over.

And it stands to reason that popular tourist places and events are attracting record numbers. Who wants to stay home after COVID.

And that looks set to be the case when the Animoca Brands Australian Motorcycle Grand Prix returns to Phillip Island next month, from Friday, October 14 to Sunday, October 16.

Authorities are already expecting record crowds well in excess of 100,000 across the three or four days.

With that number expected to converge on Phillip Island over the Grand Prix weekend, the MotoGP is the biggest sporting event in regional Victoria.

It is the cornerstone of Bass Coast Shire Council’s events program, bringing with it an economic benefit of more than $42 million. It is also a major driver for off-season visitation and employment.

Contractors servicing the GP and local venues are already scrambling to add staff and to get them trained before the big weekend, and many of them are likely to be able to stay on right through until next year with visitation numbers to the Island also at record levels.

The place simply does-not-stop now.

Phillip Island has successfully hosted the Australian MotoGP for the last 25 years (it didn’t run in 2020 or 2021) and the event is set to remain at the Phillip Island Grand Prix Circuit until at least 2026.

Many Bass Coast residents have experienced the increased crowds and bustle created by the MotoGP, but have not experienced the thrills and action at the track for themselves.

A community day will be held on Friday, October 14, which provides free general admission tickets for Bass Coast residents.

To receive a complimentary ticket, just present proof of residency at Gate 1 on the day. To avoid the queues, tickets can be picked up in advance from Gate 1 on Thursday, October 13.