Study: Top Marks for FIS Nordic Ski World Championship

Extremely satisfied visitors, friendly hosts, and a regional economic impact of 39.1 million euros – a study from the Management Center Innsbruck and the University of Innsbruck demonstrates the positive effects of the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships 2019 in Seefeld in Tirol.

Seefeld, 10.05.2019 – "I can't imagine better advertising for Tyrol and Seefeld," said Governor Günther Platter regarding the results of a study from the Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) and the University of Innsbruck on the economic impacts and visitor satisfaction of the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships 2019 in Seefeld in Tirol. "The study proves how well everything went and how great the atmosphere was. I would like to sincerely thank the community, the mayor, TVB, ÖSV, the support organizations, and the volunteers for their efforts." The study is based on interviews with visitors of the World Championships from February 20 to March 3. "During the competition days, we surveyed over 900 visitors and were able to identify an extraordinary overall satisfaction among them," summarizes Prof. (FH) Mag. Hubert Siller, Head of MCI Tourism. Thus, 97 percent of respondents were "very satisfied" (60%) or "satisfied" (37%) with their experience at the championships. The highest satisfaction ratings were achieved in terms of travel options, the atmosphere at the events, the friendliness of the staff, and the organization of the events. "The enormous satisfaction ratings, especially regarding the organization and friendliness, particularly please me. Seefeld has proven itself to be a good host," said Seefeld’s Mayor Ing. Mag. Werner Frießer. That 71% of respondents would recommend the Seefeld region as a travel destination and 57% plan to visit Seefeld again in the coming years is also pleasing to Mag. Elias Walser, Managing Director of TVB Region Seefeld: "This shows that the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships are also sustainably valuable for the region from a tourism perspective, and we can expect positive effects and new regular guests in the medium and long term."

Enormous value creation for the region
Of the approximately 65,400 visitors present at the FIS Nordic Ski Championships, more than two-thirds (68%) came from outside Tyrol. 38% were from the host country Austria. Among foreign visitors, 31% were from Germany, 15% from Norway, and 7% from Switzerland. Due to the partly long length of stay, a total audience of 204,400 was recorded, as many visitors attended multiple competitions. The MCI and the University of Innsbruck calculated that all visitors to the FIS Nordic Ski World Championships generated a primary impact of 26.1 million euros. The assumed consumption multiplier of 1.5 for such events leads to an induced regional economic effect of 39.1 million euros. "Seefeld is another positive example of how a large sporting event by the Austrian Ski Association has created sustainably usable sports infrastructure. This will provide the Nordic youth with perfect training opportunities in Seefeld in the future," explains Dr. Klaus Leistner, Secretary General of the ÖSV. Speaking of infrastructure: The results of the survey regarding travel to the FIS Nordic Ski Championships were also positive. Accordingly, 38% traveled by train and another 33% by bus. Günther Platter concluded: "I could hardly have dreamed of such a positive balance beforehand. We have been issued an excellent testimonial today. Thank you very much for that!"