By Belinda Henley
Promoters of the annual concert at the Mission Vineyard in Hawke’s Bay have announced who their big attraction for next year is.
And they're sure he will be a crowd pleaser.
But the high cost of the visit and a ban on BYO alcohol is leaving a sour taste in the mouths’ of concert-goers.
Gordon Sumner, better known as Sting, is next year's big act for the annual concert at the Mission Estate Winery in Hawke's Bay.
The Mission's annual concert with acts like Tom Jones, Rod Stewart and last year the best of Motown, usually attracts around twenty five thousand, which puts pressure on accommodation.
With such a tight market some people are upset that motels are putting up their rates and insisting on a three night minimum stay over their busiest weekend.
A Venture Hawke’s Bay spokesperson says the people are prepared to pay.
“Three night minimum seems like stiff order but plenty of consumers are prepared to take that,” he says.
The event brings around twenty five million dollars into the local economy but next year there'll be one major change.
For the first time in 19 years concert-goers will not be able to bring their own booze into the event, police opposed the granting of a special BYO license citing intoxication as main factor in all arrests at this year’s concert.
Promoter James Erskine does not believe the alcohol restriction will put too many people off.
“There will be a few people who turn around and say I came because I wanted to have a booze up and if Sting isn't a big enough draw card ill be staggered.
Tickets for the concert went on sale today.
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