Promoters of the inaugural Hawke's Bay Food and Wine Classic (FAWC) claim visitors spent more than half a million dollars around the region while taking part in the 10-day event.
Figures researched by Hawke's Bay Tourism said it estimated about 1385 people attended FAWC events when it was held in November. Between 30 to 40 per cent, or 484 were visitors, were from outside the region, using 35 per cent as the average.
Based on a survey of visitors, 38 per cent went to one event, 32 per cent went to two events and 19 per cent attended three events out of the 58 available.
The figures were presented by Hawke's Bay Tourism general manager Annie Dundas to one of the organisation's funders, the Hawke's Bay Regional Council, as part of its quarterly report.
"Tourists generally spend about $120 a day. Our 484 visitors spent $58,080 per day. In 10 days, that's over half a million dollars that was spent in and around the region," her report said.