HLaB
Marie Attoinette Fan
Whislt browsing the local paper at lunch I came accross this:
Cycle race generates close to £1 million By Sandra Gray
A POPULAR cycling event in Perthshire has overcome controversy and opposition to generate almost £1 million for the local economy.
This year’s Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia had a net economic impact of £926,363 for Perth and Kinross, according to an independent survey, more than double the figure reached last year of £416,885.
Opponents of the event have complained that not enough benefits are felt outside of Pitlochry; however, the net impact on Tayside as a whole was £936,552.
The survey, carried out by consultants EKOS, shows the event continues to go from strength to strength with over 7000 people attending this year, a significant increase on the 4294 visitors recorded in 2008.
More people also travelled from outwith Perth and Kinross to attend the Etape Caledonia than last year, with 86% of visitors staying in the area for at least one night.
And despite the popularity of the event, many who participated in the survey said that they would return to Perthshire without having the race as an incentive.
Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure convener Councillor John Kellas said, “These findings illustrate perfectly why this council has worked very hard to bring the Etape Caledonia to Perth and Kinross and to make it an annual fixture in our events calendar.
“Year on year since the first Etape Caledonia in 2007, we have seen the event grow and the economic impact figures rise significantly.
“We have worked hard with local communities and the event organiser to tweak and improve the event wherever we could and we are now seeing the real benefits of all that hard work.
“I am delighted that this year’s Etape generated almost £1 million for the economy of Perth and Kinross. This is money that would not have been spent in the area if it were not for this event.
“In addition to this, participants have also helped raise £260,000 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support.”
The event was blighted this year by sabotage attempts after carpet tacks were thrown across the course on May 17.
However, this does not seem to be putting people off taking part next year, with 88% saying they will return and organisers already reporting a record number of registrations for next year’s race.
Cycle race generates close to £1 million By Sandra Gray
A POPULAR cycling event in Perthshire has overcome controversy and opposition to generate almost £1 million for the local economy.
This year’s Macmillan Cancer Support Etape Caledonia had a net economic impact of £926,363 for Perth and Kinross, according to an independent survey, more than double the figure reached last year of £416,885.
Opponents of the event have complained that not enough benefits are felt outside of Pitlochry; however, the net impact on Tayside as a whole was £936,552.
The survey, carried out by consultants EKOS, shows the event continues to go from strength to strength with over 7000 people attending this year, a significant increase on the 4294 visitors recorded in 2008.
More people also travelled from outwith Perth and Kinross to attend the Etape Caledonia than last year, with 86% of visitors staying in the area for at least one night.
And despite the popularity of the event, many who participated in the survey said that they would return to Perthshire without having the race as an incentive.
Perth and Kinross Council’s enterprise and infrastructure convener Councillor John Kellas said, “These findings illustrate perfectly why this council has worked very hard to bring the Etape Caledonia to Perth and Kinross and to make it an annual fixture in our events calendar.
“Year on year since the first Etape Caledonia in 2007, we have seen the event grow and the economic impact figures rise significantly.
“We have worked hard with local communities and the event organiser to tweak and improve the event wherever we could and we are now seeing the real benefits of all that hard work.
“I am delighted that this year’s Etape generated almost £1 million for the economy of Perth and Kinross. This is money that would not have been spent in the area if it were not for this event.
“In addition to this, participants have also helped raise £260,000 so far for Macmillan Cancer Support.”
The event was blighted this year by sabotage attempts after carpet tacks were thrown across the course on May 17.
However, this does not seem to be putting people off taking part next year, with 88% saying they will return and organisers already reporting a record number of registrations for next year’s race.
