A major and comprehensive Economic Impact Study of The 2010 Ryder Cup at The Celtic Manor Resort, City of Newport, Wales, has found that the economic impact on Wales as Host Nation was £82.4 million.
Thousands of visitors – the total attendance for the week of the match was 244,000 – helped focus the sporting spotlight on Wales as the event attracted global television and media coverage.
The study, which was jointly funded by the major partners involved in the match, took into account the money spent on local travel, on-site spend, off-site spend, any extension to a visitor’s stay (excluding the unexpected extra Monday) and any associated additional spend.
The total spend, including multipliers, was £82.4 million spent across Wales during the week of the event and this included South East Wales drawing an impact of £74.6 million and Newport £28.3 million.
The study, which was conducted by IFM Sports Marketing Surveys, involved more than 1,250 face-to-face interviews with spectators during the event followed by nearly 3,000 on-line. This was supported by interviews with 254 volunteers, 400 local Welsh businesses, 50 Welsh golf clubs and 472 local residents.
Of the spectators interviewed, 69% had come from outside Wales, including 7% from the USA and Canada. The vast majority of spectators from outside Wales confirmed that they were either “satisfied” or “very satisfied” with the welcome they received (84%) and said their experience made it more likely they would visit Wales to play golf (61%).
First Minister of Wales, Carwyn Jones, said: “The Ryder Cup gave a very substantial boost to the Welsh economy during the week of the event and it will continue to deliver lasting benefits in terms of tourism, golf development and awareness of Wales as a place to do business. It’s particularly pleasing that, as the Host Nation, we rose to the occasion and gave the tens of thousands of visitors a very warm Welsh welcome which will form part of their memories of what was a thrilling event.
“The study sits alongside the recent announcement which shows that the economic impact of golf tourism in Wales during 2010 was nearly £42 million. This represents an increase of 21% from 2009. 2010 was the seventh year since we started collating figures and in that period the total expenditure generated through golf tourism amounted to £203 million. The number of golfing visitors across Wales has increased 82% in the same period. This emphasises the Ryder Cup effect.”
Ryder Cup is a Top Ten Global Sporting Brand
Richard Hills, the European Ryder Cup Director, said: “Major sports events consistently deliver considerable direct and indirect benefits to the Host Nation and venue. This is confirmed by the results of this Economic Impact Study, the increase in revenue brought into the Welsh economy by golf tourism and golf events, the growth of the game in Wales and the massive coverage the event achieved globally. All of this highlights why The Ryder Cup is considered by many observers to be one of the top ten global sporting brands.”
The Celtic Manor Resort itself withstood all the elements had to throw at it to provide a wonderful stage for the dramatic conclusion to The 2010 Ryder Cup, fulfilling the bold vision of owner Sir Terry Matthews and enhancing the resort’s global reputation.
Russell Phillips, Vice-President, Facilities and Development, The Celtic Manor Resort, said: “The Celtic Manor Resort made an enormous investment to bring The Ryder Cup to Wales for the first time but these figures demonstrate that the event brought considerable returns for all the partners involved.
“Here at Celtic Manor, we experienced substantial increases in golf and leisure revenues in 2009 and 2010, and we’ve seen a further rise in bookings for 2011. As a nation, Wales has undoubtedly gained huge benefits not only through the direct revenue injected into the economy but also in terms of recognition of the Wales brand globally. This is a great platform on which to build and we’re looking forward to hosting The Celtic Manor Wales Open again in June (2nd-5th).”
Recent figures in relation to The Celtic Manor Wales Open itself show an estimated annual impact of circa £1.5 million per annum on the local economy. These benefits to Newport and the wider area will be sustained as The Celtic Manor Wales Open will now continue to at least 2014.
Lasting Impact on Newport as Host City
The Ryder Cup study showed a high level of recognition of Newport as the host city, with 93% of all those surveyed having seen branding associating The Ryder Cup with Newport. Even among people from outside the UK, 89% had made the association.
Matthew Evans, Leader of Newport City Council, said: “Newport has clearly benefited quite considerably from hosting The 2010 Ryder Cup – not only during the week of the event, as this study shows, but in the run-up and in the longer term.
“As a council, we ensured the city was able to capitalise on its moment in the global spotlight and that every resident had a chance to join the celebrations, even if they were not golf fans.
“Many local businesses gained directly as a result of the event although we always recognised it was not going to bring financial rewards for everyone, especially in view of the economic climate.
“However, The 2010 Ryder Cup has left a number of legacies which will last long into the future including environmental and infrastructure enhancements, new opportunities for our children and worldwide recognition for the city as well as the continuation of the highly successful Newport Festival in 2011.