2012 a Strong Year for Sport Tourism in Charlottetown

2012 a strong year for sport tourism in Charlottetown

Charlottetown, PEI, March 12, 2012 – 2012 is set to be a strong year for sport tourism in the provincial capital as Charlottetown is set to host sixteen regional and national sport events.

“Our city has been fortunate to host many sport events over the years with resounding success and 2012 will be an exciting year for sport in Charlottetown,” said Mayor Clifford Lee.

“Sport tourism has become a driving force in our municipal economy bringing numerous participants that fill our hotel rooms, restaurants and retail shops. Hosting sport events also presents a tremendous opportunity to showcase all that our city has to offer as a destination encouraging return tourism visitation.”

The following 2012 sport events have and will attract thousands of participants, officials, supporting family members and friends to the provincial capital bringing literally millions of dollars in economic impact.

  • Scotiabank Hockey Day in Canada Celebrations (February 8 -11)
  • Atlantic Ringette Championships (February 10-12)
  • East Coast Short Course Swimming Championships (March 1-4)
  • Atlantic Collegiate Athletic Association (ACAA) Basketball Championships (March 2-4)
  • Canadian Wheelchair Basketball League Open Finals (April 6-8)
  • Skate Canada Adult Figure Skating Championships (April 6-8)
  • Esso Cup National Female Midget Hockey Championship (April 22-28)
  • Canada East Wrestling Championships (May 12-13)
  • Atlantic Regional Synchronized Swimming Championships (May 18-21)
  • Eastern Canadian U-13 & U-14 Basketball Club Championships (June 28-July 1)
  • U-14 Atlantic All-Star Soccer Championships (July 5-8)
  • Canadian National Oldtimers Baseball Championships (August 2-6)
  • Legion Canadian Youth Track & Field Championships (August 15-21)
  • Royale Cup Canadian Women’s Senior Golf Championship (August 21-23)
  • U-16 BMO National Club Soccer Championships (October 3-8)
  • Atlantic Breeders Crown Harness Racing Championships (October 6-7)

“It is important that we continue to work aggressively with partners to capitalize on the vibrant sport tourism market,” said Wayne Long, Events Development Officer for the City of Charlottetown and member of the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance (CSTA) Board of Directors. “Spending associated with the Canadian sport tourism industry reached $3.6 billion in 2010, an increase of 8.8% from 2008, based on Statistics Canada (2010) data commissioned by the CSTA. This compares to a 0.7% decrease in tourism demand for the Canadian tourism industry as a whole over the same period, thus continuing sport tourism’s trend of being one of the fastest growing industry segments within Canada’s tourism industry.”

“Capitalizing on the growing sport tourism industry continues to be a priority for our municipality,” said Deputy Mayor Stu MacFadyen, who is also Chair of the Advanced Planning, Priorities and Special Events Committee. Charlottetown has been fortunate to reap the benefits associated with hosting sport events, including tourism, economic and cultural prosperity and immeasurable destination exposure.”

Charlottetown continues to develop as a leader in Canada’s sport tourism industry, successfully attracting numerous regional, national and international sport events annually through SCORE – Charlottetown’s highly recognized and respected sport tourism brand. For more information on SCORE, visit www.scorecharlottetown.com.

For more information on the Canadian Sport Tourism Alliance, visit www.canadiansporttourism.com.

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Backgrounder:
SCORE! is a project of the City of Charlottetown developed to grow the sport tourism industry in Charlottetown. The City realizes the value of the events sector and has placed a high priority on sport events to stimulate tourism and economic growth.

Media Contact:
Wayne Long
Events Development Officer
City of Charlottetown
p. 902.629.0496
e. wlong@charlottetown.ca

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