As fears mount over the fate of the Grand Tours this year due to the coronavirus pandemic, the potential economic cost has come under the spotlight.
Recent research has shown that the cancellation of the Vuelta a Espana would hurt the economy. Photo: Sarah Meyssonnier
Host nations France, Spain and Italy realise there could be a major negative economic impact if the events are cancelled as they are seen as major tourist drawcards.
Already the Giro d’Italia, scheduled to take place from May 9 to 31, has been postponed with no alternative dates yet set.
The Tour de France is scheduled from June 27 till July 19 and a decision on whether it will go ahead is expected to be made in mid-May.
Recent research has shown just how important cycle tourism is to Spain which, like Italy, has been particularly hard hit by the virus.
A report by the Faculty of Sports Sciences at the University of Murciaon looked at the social and tourism impact of last year’s Vuelta a Espana.
The report says fans of the 21-day stage race believe the event greatly encourages tourism through the different localities.
This year’s event is set to take place from August 14 to September 6. The race starts in Utrecht, Netherlands, and ends in Madrid, Spain.
The independent report was compiled to reflect the perceptions and opinions of residents and tourists in municipalities through which the race passes.
They distributed a series of scientifically validated questionnaires to 5 626 people, the majority of whom were residents.
These were completed before, during and after last years’ event, therefore well before the pandemic started.
The survey sought to determine how satisfied they were about a range of issues such as the social, sports, environmental and economic effects of the event.
According to the responses, at least 90 per cent of residents in areas the race affects believe it has a positive influence on the economy, sport, tourism and the environment.
According to a La Vuelta press statement on the questionnaire, “Economically-speaking, 92 per cent of those surveyed were in favour of the municipality investing public funds in order to host La Vuelta 19.
“There were 90.7 per cent who also considered that the race’s passage would encourage tourism to the locality and 90.3 per cent believed it would have positive repercussions in local businesses.”
The report showed that residents felt a sense of excitement when the event arrived. They also felt that when it came to improving the image of their municipalities it helped to give them a greater national presence and promoted sport among the youth.
“Participants were so satisfied with the experience of having La Vuelta in their municipality that 94.6 per cent of them would recommend that their friends and family go to see the event.
“This is a similar percentage to those who wish to have their municipality included in La Vuelta’s itinerary once again.”
When it comes to tourism, the report shows that many people leave their homes in order to watch the event. Those that travel are mostly families, and cover a distance of about 151km.
“Nine out of 10 tourists surveyed catalogued the municipalities along La Vuelta’s route as ‘tourist interest areas’, while 92 per cent were willing to return to the locality they had visited.
“There were 94 per cent who would recommend that their family and friends go and visit the places they discovered thanks to the race.”
