COUNTY OF KENT's £77million BOOST FROM OPEN AT ROYAL ST G's

NEWS RELEASE ISSUED BY THE R AND A
Independent economic research commissioned by Open Championship organiser, The R and A, highlights that this year’s Championship, staged at Royal St George’s Golf Club, delivered a £77 million benefit to the county of Kent.
The headline figure includes an economic impact of £24.1 million for Kent and a destination marketing benefit of £52.6 million derived from the week-long event in July 2011. Within the boundaries of East Kent, comprising the districts of Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Shepway an economic impact of £21.2 million was delivered.
Commenting on the research findings R and A Chief Executive, Peter Dawson said:
“We found a worthy winner in Darren Clarke at Royal St George’s and we are delighted that the Championship also delivered a significant economic impact to the local community.
In one week, the economic benefit for Kent exceeded £24 million and the tourism legacy benefit of almost 300 hours of scenic images of the Kent countryside, viewed globally on television, will pay back in the county for years to come,” added Dawson.
Welcoming The Open Championship economic outcome, Dover District Council Leader, Councillor Paul Watkins said:
“Attracting The Open Championship to our area is clearly beneficial to both local people and businesses in Kent and particularly East Kent and we trust it will not be too long before golf’s oldest Major Championship makes a return visit”.
Minister for Sport and the Olympics Hugh Robertson said:
"The Open Championship is one of the jewels in the crown of the sporting calendar and attracts golf fans from all over the world. As a Kent MP, it was good to see The Open return to Royal St George's this year. Hosting the Championship gave an economic boost to the county and region but also to the country as a whole.
"As well as the tourism benefits it brings, it showcases the passion and knowledge we have for the game and I look forward to the 2012 Championship in Lancashire at Royal Lytham and St Annes."
Commenting on the legacy of The Open Championship, Kent County Council Leader, Councillor Paul Carter said:
"The Open was the largest major global sports event that Kent has accommodated in recent years. Not only did it lead to a golf legacy project involving many hundreds of people in the county trying golf for the first time, but it boosted the profile of the area nationally and internationally, which should help in our efforts to secure inward investment, tourism and jobs for East Kent.
Separately, a recently successful bid to the Government’s Regional Growth Fund means an extra £40 million will help create new jobs and further support local business in Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Shepway.”
Officials from The R and A and local authority representatives, meeting in Dover this week, will discuss necessary transport infrastructure enhancements for The Open Championship’s return to the South East of England.
A total of 180,000 spectator admissions were recorded at The Open Championship this year and 37,000 passengers travelled on the special High Speed train service from London St Pancras, operated by Southeastern. Airline Flybe reported total bookings at Manston Kent International Airport up 70% in July with a 40% increase in bookings on the carrier’s Edinburgh service.