A study by the Isle of Man Government's Treasury Economic Affairs Division (EAD) into the contribution that the Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling makes to the Island's economy has shown an increase in visitors of approximately 50% over a four-year period.

The Treasury originally surveyed the Manx Grand Prix in 2009 before replicating the study this year at the inaugural Isle of Man Festival of Motorcycling which included the newly created Classic TT, the Manx Grand Prix, the VMCC Festival of Jurby and the Classic and Two Day Trials.

The research revealed an overall increase in visitors to 13,407 for the August event, compared to 8915 in 2009. The study showed that these visitors spent a total of £8.4M compared with £4.9M in 2009 and that this is contributed £1M to the Exchequer.

While there was a significant 37% increase in all forms of sea passengers - foot, motorcycle and other vehicles - the notable increase was in air traffic, which was up 172% to 2,346 this year from 860 during the same period in 2009.

Figures supplied by Ronaldsway airport show that the air traffic growth was particularly significant in the last year, with a reported 11.6% increase* in visitors compared with the same period in 2012.

As with 2009, the majority of visitors were from England (80%) with campsites (31%) proving the most popular type of accommodation although 20% of visitors were revealed to have stayed in hotels.

Laurence Skelly MHK, the Political Member responsible for motorsport at the Department of Economic Development commented:

‘The survey has given the Department some excellent data in measuring the work that has been carried out over the last four years to generate more visitors to the August Motorcycling Festival.’

He continued:

‘The survey has shown that there has been a significant increase in visitors to the event and the economic contribution that the festival now delivers. I would like to take this opportunity to congratulate and thank all of our event partners, the race officials and marshals as well as other Government departments on what is a major success story.

‘We will now look to build on this success to ensure the long-term viability of the Festival and to generate the highest possible contribution to the Island's economy.’

A full copy of the Isle of Man Treasury Festival of Motorcycling 2013 report can be downloaded from http://www.gov.im/categories/travel,-tra...ger-survey


*A total of 33,792 passengers 2013 travelled to Ronaldsway between 17th and 30th August 2013 compared with 30,254 passengers between 18th and 31st in 2012.



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