Commonwealth CEO Pays Homage to Economic Impact of Cycling Event

Region : Tayside

The UK’s only closed road cycling event, Etape Caledonia, which takes place in Highland Perthshire on Sunday 18th May, has been credited with bolstering the local tourist economy.

 

The news has been widely welcomed by the event organisers and by sources further afield, including Derek Casey, interim Chief Executive of the Organising Committee for the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

 

An independent economic impact assessment resport has suggested that, with an average spend per head at last year’s event of £79, this year’s event is expected to generate £1/2 million for the Perthshire and Scottish economy.

 

At a time when purses are clearly tightening and leisure spend is reported to be down, this represents a significant boost to the area.

 

Derek Casey, interim Chief Executive of the Organising Committee for the 2014 Commonwealth Games commented on the positive impact of bringing events such as the Etape Caledonia to Scotland, “Scotland has a growing and well deserved reputation for staging World Class events.  As well as important in their own right, they can be a significant generator of income to the local economy.  Etape Caledonia is a good example of this process operating at a local level in Perthshire.  In the same context, the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow and Scotland in 2014 will have nation-wide implications for the social, cultural and economic development of communities.”

 

The 81 mile challenge, set in the stunning backdrop of Perthshire’s Highlands, is now in its second year and has attracted almost 2000 participants from around the globe to take part. Around 4000 spectators are also expected to attend this year’s event, 70% of whom are anticipated to stay overnight in the area.

 

The influx of cyclists and avid supporters from around the globe has given much needed muscle to the fragile economy of Highland Perthshire, that relies heavily on tourism spend to survive, with many hotels and guests houses boasting full occupancy at a time of year when, according to Visit Scotland, expected occupancy rates rarely hit over 64%.

 

Perthshire businessman, Andrew Bruce Wooton, general manager of the Atholl Estates which was recently featured on STV’s Conquer the Castle, said “The Etape Caledonia is an excellent opportunity to showcase the Highland Perthshire landscape to cyclists from all over the UK and their families.  Events like these fill bed-spaces on a weekend that normally would be quiet and many of the participants may return throughout the year for cycling, walking and other activities.”

 

Mike Beale, president of the Perthshire Chamber of Commerce said “Perthshire Chamber of Commerce welcomes another high profile event to the area in the form of the Etape Caledonia cycle challenge. The level of interest to visitors and locals alike is a significant boost to the local economy, not least because many of the participants will be visiting Perthshire for the first time.'

 

The organisers, who are also credited with running events such as the London Triathlon, welcomed the news that the Perthshire economy was directly benefitting from their investment in the event.

 

Kevin Stewart, event director, said “It takes significant financial investment to build an international reputation for an event such as Etape Caledonia. It is a unique, world class event, and much of that is to do with the stunning backdrop of the Perthshire landscape in which it is held. We hope to continue to build on our previous successes to make it one of the most sought after cycle events in the country and I am really pleased to see that it is already having an extremely positive impact on local business and tourism.”

 

A record number of participants have already registered to take part, with more than the usual smattering of sports celebrities including the fastest man to cycle around the world, Mark Beaumont, members of the British Alpine Ski Team and “How Clean is your House” and “Dancing on Ice” star Aggie McKenzie. The 2008 Etape Caledonia is guaranteed to position Perthshire on an international platform for sport.

 

Last minute applications can still be made for participating in this year’s event online at www.etapecaledonia.co.uk

 

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Contact: Tricia Fox
Phone: 01738 658187
Email: t.fox@volpa.co.uk
Website: http://www.volpa.co.uk

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