Western Australia sports tourism helps drive Mid-West economy

Local sporting events help deliver millions of dollars of economic benefits to the Mid-West region of Western Australia, according to a recently released report, underlining the importance of delivering quality, high participation sporting events in country areas.

The Mid West Sports Tourism Project analysed the economic impact of sport in the region during 2018 - showing it provided $7.3 million worth of economic benefits and created 60 full time-equivalent jobs.

Sport event visitors spent $7.9 million, including an estimated $5.3 million on tourism related industries such as accommodation, cafes, restaurants and tours. Sporting events helped to boost the real incomes of Mid-West residents by $3.4 million.

The report considered the impact of the 84 sporting events held in the region, which attracted close to 21,500 visitors to the Mid-West, including 7,600 who participated in events and 15,700 spectators.

The Western Australian Government's Mid-Tier Sporting Events Strategy provides funding to help deliver high participation community sporting events - allowing regional communities throughout the State to draw on these kinds of economic and job-creating benefits.

The Mid West Sports Tourism Project was produced by the Mid West Sports Federation, with funding support from the Federal Government, the State Government and the City of Greater Geraldton.

Western Australian Sport and Recreation Minister Mick Murray noted "regional sporting events provide millions of dollars of benefits to the Mid-West - attracting tourists and providing opportunities for local small businesses and tourism operators.

"The State Government is committed to helping to deliver the kinds of high participation local sporting events that bring people into communities to compete and then enjoy the local offerings with their families.

"Our Mid-Tier Sporting Event Strategy provides funding support to help deliver relatively low-cost local sporting events, which provide a significant return on investment. This report demonstrates the wider value of supporting these kinds of local events."