Our View: Clash of events poses dilemma

It is no secret Tauranga has an unfortunate history when it comes to putting on large events.
In 2009, we missed out on a $30 million windfall when we lost our bid to host Rugby World Cup games in the city.
Last year, hopes that we would host one of the most exciting world championship spectacles in motorsport were dashed when Tauranga City Venues Ltd withdrew its bid due to financial constraints.
In the past, Baypark fought to hold Super rugby matches before adequate lighting and covered seating were added.
We so often play second fiddle to Rotorua - a smaller city but a major player when it comes large-scale international events.
So it would seem that when we do attract major events to the city tourism operators would rejoice.
But are we equipped to cope with the influx of visitors these events bring?
Last week, this newspaper highlighted a major clash on the events calender.
The Port of Tauranga Half Ironman and the North Island Colgate Games, both expected to bring thousands to the region, are scheduled for the same weekend in January, upsetting the local moteliers' association.
Accommodation providers struggling to meet demand for an already busy weekend are concerned they will be forced send guests - and their money - out of town.
This is not an unfair prediction.
Accommodation providers may have seen a larger economic benefit if the events were held on separate weekends but that is not to be.
While every effort was made to change the dates, a decision was made to host both events rather than miss out altogether.
Is it not better to have a small number visitors staying in nearby regions but still bringing their tourism dollar to the city through other means - they are bound to spend money in our restaurants, supermarkets, petrol stations and other shopping centres - than not spend anything here at all?
This city is not in a position to be turning any amount of money away.