Last year, the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, held annually in Whistler, generated a total of $37.7 million in economic activity for the Province of British Columbia, according to a report commissioned by…
Last year, the TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival, held annually in Whistler, generated a total of $37.7 million in economic activity for the Province of British Columbia, according to a report commissioned by Tourism Whistler and Whistler Blackcomb.
The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival Economic Impact Assessment found that the spending of visitors to the Festival, in combination with the operational expenditures associated with hosting the event, totaled more than $15.7 million for Whistler. In turn, this spending generated an estimated $37.7 million in economic activity for the Province of British Columbia, including nearly $21.3 million for Whistler.
The report estimates that 28,118 hotel room nights were sold during the festival, of which 86 per cent were sold to TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival attendees.
The TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival has been one of the resort`s most successful events in attracting visitors and celebrating community spirit, says Arlene Schieven, Vice President of Marketing for Tourism Whistler. We`ve always known the festival was important to Whistler, but as this report demonstrates, the benefits stretch well beyond Whistler`s peaks to the rest of the province as well. We are committed to ensuring Whistler`s spring event remains at the centre of the snowsports world.
The 11th annual TELUS World Ski & Snowboard Festival was held April 14-23, 2006. Widely known as Whistler`s famous spring celebration of the art, culture and music of winter sport, the event featured a free outdoor concert series, art and photography showcases and competitions, the 72-hour Avid Filmmaker Showdown, the 9th annual Pro Photographer Showdown and a series of ski and snowboard events culminating in the PlayStation Big Air event in Whistler Village with an estimated 18,000 people in attendance. The 10-day festival hosted more than 50 free concerts, 164 live musical performances, 240 athletes, 350 media and the work of more than 700 artists and performers.
It`s gratifying to see what a substantial injection the festival makes to the local economy, said Managing Director Sue Eckersley, because its success is fuelled by the cumulative efforts of so many contributors and key partners, not to mention the creative energy of the entire community. The team is already busy preparing for this year`s festival, April 13-22, 2007, which promises to be the ultimate wrap party to an amazing winter.
Theodore is the Co-Founder and Managing Editor of TravelDailyNews Media Network; his responsibilities include business development and planning for TravelDailyNews long-term opportunities.
