Last year’s An Post Tour of Sligo cycle event was worth over €450,000 to the local economy, according to a new report.
The estimated combined spend on accommodation and non accommodation costs of the 2,407 cyclists taking part and their friends and family was €364,551 while an additional spend of €88,000 was incurred in various aspects of the hosting the event.
As a result the total value of the An Post Tour of Sligo 2014 is estimated at €452,551 to the local economy.
The report, ‘Cycling Participation and Economic Benefit of the An Post Tour of Sligo Cycle 2014’, is based on a post event survey of participants conducted by researcher Maire Mc Callion on behalf of Sligo Sport and Recreation Partnership, which involved 457 respondents.
Minister for State for Sport, Michael Ring and John Treacy Chief Executive of the Irish Sports Council were present at the recent launch of the report.
Minister Ring participated in the first An Post Tour of Sligo in 2009 while John Treacy makes the event part of his annual sporting calendar.
Both welcomed the report and in particular the significant economic value for the local economy and tourism benefits associated with the event while also acknowledging the impact of the event in terms of getting people active. The full report can be viewed on www.sligosportandrecreation.ie
Researcher Maire Mc Callion stated: “The An Post Tour of Sligo 2014 was a great celebration of cycling for all ages and attracted cyclists from every county on the island of Ireland and a significant number of overseas visitors with a total of 2,407 on their bikes and Sligo can look forward to what promises to be another successful cycle over the upcoming May Bank Holiday weekend”.
Cyclists of all ages and fitness levels can take part in An Post Tour of Sligo 2015 with a choice of distances including 2K Bike Trail/ 10K Hazelwood Spin/ 60K Lough Gill Circuit/ 100K Innisfree Tour/ 160K Ox Mountain Challenge and full details and entry are available on www.tourofsligo.ie
