RBC GranFondo Whistler Generates $8.2 million to the Province of BC

The second annual RBC GranFondo Whistler took place on September 10, 2011 and attracted cyclists from around the world. Seven thousand registered participants from 14 different countries descended on the region with their families for the epic 122 km ride from downtown Vancouver to Whistler on the famed Sea to Sky Highway.

With an increase in participants over the inaugural 2010 event, there was a significant increase in economic impact. Spending made by participants, spectators and event organizers generated $8.2 million in economic activity for the Province of British Columbia.

Economic Activity

Total Industry Output representing direct and indirect expenditures generated by the event.

Jobs

Spending associated with the event supported $2.8 million in wages and salaries in the Province through the support of 63 jobs, of which 22 jobs were supported in Whistler.

Tax

Considerable tax revenues were supported by the event totalling $1.8 million.

• $830,000 federal
• $670,000 for province of British Columbia
• $92,000 for municipality of Whistler

* The economic impact assessment in both 2010 and 2011 was conducted by the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA), using the Sport Tourism Economic Assessment Model (STEAM).The 2011 study was funded by the Province of British Columbia’s Resort Municipality Initiative (RMI). The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) allocated RMI funds to produce a series of economic impact analyses for events throughout the community including RBC GranFondo Whistler.

The event allows cyclists to see the splendour of the province and attracts tourism spending in British Columbia that goes beyond the weekend event. In fact, according to survey research, a full 52% of participants made a training ride in the Sea to Sky corridor leading up to the event, including 18% of the out-of-province participants.

“We are very proud of the economic impact that our event has made to the province,” said Kevin Thomson, president and co-founder of GranFondo Canada, the producers of the RBC GranFondo Whistler. “It demonstrates a sustainable model for cycling events whose benefits go beyond health and lowered environmental impact.”

Post-ride entertainment in Whistler Village, including a full slate of entertainment in Whistler Olympic Plaza encouraged participants and their families to extend their stay beyond one day.

“The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is committed to working with our partners to create an environment conducive to events,” Said Mayor Nancy Wilhelm-Morden. “We are delighted to work with third party event producers such as GranFondo Canada – producers of RBC GranFondo Whistler – to attract incremental visits to the resort.”

The event, which takes place annually on the Saturday following Labour Day, has taken one of Whistler’s historically slower weekends and made it one of the busiest in the calendar year.

“Event tourism is essential to the success of the resort,” said Tourism Whistler President and CEO, Barrett Fisher. “The very successful RBC GranFondo Whistler is a great example of an event that helps build exposure for Whistler while also driving incremental visitation. Last year’s GranFondo event saw more room nights booked than the previous year and the popularity of this event suggests that this trend will continue.”

The third-annual RBC GranFondo Whistler will take place on September 8, 2012. For more information, visit www.rbcgranfondowhistler.com

Media Inquiries:

GranFondo Canada

TEL: 604-990-2510 x340 E-MAIL: info@granfondocanada.com WEBSITE: www.granfondocanada.com

RMOW

TEL: 604-967-3030 E-MAIL: communications@whistler.ca WEBSITE: www.whistler.ca  

Tourism Whistler

TEL: 604.935.3358  E-MAIL: mediarelations@tourismwhistler.com WEBSITE: www.whistler.com/media

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About GranFondo Canada

Founded in 2007, GranFondo Canada is an event management company committed to providing world-class cycling experiences in world renowned locations. Rooted in the growing domain of sport tourism, these events appeal greatly to cyclists looking for unique and memorable experiences. 2012 events include the second-annual RBC GranFondo Kelowna taking place on July 14 and the third-annual RBC GranFondo Whistler on September 8. For more information please visit: www.granfondocanada.com.

About Whistler

Whistler is Canada’s premier year-round leisure and meeting destination located in the Coast Mountains 120 kilometres (75 miles) north of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. Consistently rated the top ski resort in North America for the past 12 years in a row, Whistler was the Host Mountain Resort of the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games. The resort offers an extensive range of accommodations totalling 10,000 bedrooms among 24 hotels as well as townhomes, condos, B&Bs and chalets. Whistler also boasts more than 100 restaurants and bars, 200 retail shops, 25 spas and countless activity options from world-renowned skiing and snowboarding, mountain biking and golf, to hiking, rock climbing, and watersports. See www.whistler.com for accommodation offers and packages.

About the Resort Municipality of Whistler

The Resort Municipality of Whistler (RMOW) is Whistler’s local government led by an elected council and administered by an executive team and staff on behalf of 10,000 residents and two million annual visitors. The RMOW manages municipal planning and development, park and Village operations, sports facilities and recreation, public utilities and environmental services, bylaws and enforcement, fire rescue, fiscal planning and financial services, legislative services, human resources, communications and the administration of the Whistler2020 Comprehensive Sustainability Plan and Whistler’s Official Community Plan.

Whistler’s vision is to be the premier mountain resort community as it moves toward sustainability. Whistler was the proud Host Mountain Resort for the 2010 Olympic and Paralympic Winter Games.