Perth (TAN): Sports tourism has helped the Mid-West region of Western Australia contribute AUD 7.3 million (USD 4.9 million) worth of economic benefits to the state in 2018.
According to a report released by Australia’s Mid West Sports Tourism Project, sports tourism also helped create 60 full-time jobs in the region. The Mid West Sports Tourism Project was formed by the Mid West Sports Federation, with funding from other public bodies.
The report took into consideration 84 sporting events held in the Mid-West, which led nearly 21,500 to the region, of which 7,600 took part in events while 15,7000 were spectators.
[ALSO READ: Lufthansa launches sustainability platform, fliers can buy carbon-neutral aviation fuel]
Visitors spent AUD7.9 million, an estimated AUD5.3 million of which was spent on industries associated with tourism such as accommodation, cafes, restaurants and tours. Real incomes of Mid-West residents went up by AUD3.4 million owing to the sporting events.
“Regional sporting events provide millions of dollars of benefits to the Mid-West – attracting tourists and providing opportunities for local small businesses and tourism operators. The State Government is committed to helping to deliver the kinds of high participation local sporting events that bring people into communities to compete and then enjoy the local offerings with their families,” Minister for Sport and Recreation, Western Australia, Mick Murray, said.
[ALSO READ: Banyan Tree Hotels celebrates 25th anniversary, to plant 25,000 trees by year-end]
The Government of Western Australia’s Mid-Tier Sporting Events Strategy funds community sporting events with high participation so that local communities are benefitted through job creation and high economic returns.
“Our Mid-Tier Sporting Event Strategy provides funding support to help deliver relatively low-cost local sporting events, which provide a significant return on investment. This report demonstrates the wider value of supporting these kinds of local events,” he added.
