MONTRÉAL, July 30, 2014 /CNW Telbec/ - For the next few weeks, Montréal will go sports mad as it feeds on a steady diet of aquatic sports, tennis and soccer throughout the month of August. Montréal is hosting the 15th FINA World Masters Championships (from July 27 to August 10), the Rogers Cup (from August 1 to 10) and the FIFA U-20 Women's World Cup - Canada 2014 (from August 5 to 24). These sporting events are sure to boost the city's buzz and attract many visitors to its hotels, restaurants and attractions.
More than 9,000 athletes from 97 countries and some 2,100 support staff are expected for the 15th FINA World Masters Championships, generating estimated economic spin-offs of over $78 million. Also, around ten FIFA games will be played at the Olympic Stadium (including the semi-final and the two finals), leading to an estimated $9 million in economic spin-offs.
The Rogers Cup, which brought over 200,000 spectators to Montréal last year, is expecting record attendance at the Uniprix Stadium courts this year.
"Montréal has everything it takes to host major international sporting events: modern facilities, qualified coaches and top athletes, combined with Montréal's famous warm welcome and its citizens' joie de vivre," says Yves Lalumiere, President and CEO of Tourisme Montréal. "Our organization believes that the sports sector has considerable potential for Montréal. We are strategically devoting resources to developing this sector and intend to obtain concrete results."
"As the 40th anniversary of the Montréal Olympics approaches, we are pleased to see that Montréal is asserting itself as an outstanding international sports city. Sporting events not only create economic spin-offs for Montréal but also showcase the city's attractions," says Denis Coderre, Mayor of Montréal.
The current boom in the sports sector in Montréal is not a matter of chance. Several players have been working together to attract high-calibre events and sports competitions to the city.
As the organization responsible for soliciting and hosting national and international sporting events in Montréal, Tourisme Montréal has prioritized the development of business opportunities in the sports market. To do so, we work together with several partners: the City of Montréal, the Ministère de l'Éducation, du Loisir et du Sport, Tourisme Québec, Canada Economic Development and Sport Canada.
The future looks bright for Montréal in the field of sport, with many events already scheduled for the coming years.
About Tourisme Montréal
Tourisme Montréal is responsible for providing leadership in the concerted efforts of hospitality and promotion in order to position the "Montréal" destination on leisure and business travel markets. It is also responsible for developing Montréal's tourism product in accordance with the ever-changing conditions of the market. For more information, visit www.tourisme-montreal.org.
SOURCE: Tourisme Montréal
Alexandra Graveline, Manager - Corporate Public Relations, Tourisme Montréal, 514 844-3558, [email protected]
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