A recently released study commissioned by Visit Bend, the tourism development organization for the city of Bend, Oregon, suggests that bringing the USA Cycling National Cyclocross Championships to the city in December brought in over $1 million in tourism spending.
The study, which focused on competitors and their travel parties, estimated that 2,460 visitors descended on Bend for the race, with the average stay coming out to 3.6 nights. The average per person expenditure was estimated at $72.60 per day. When including the spending of USA Cycling staff, vendors, media, and surveyed spectators, totals were estimated at $1.08 million.
Lodging and food services were the biggest winners, accounting for roughtly $235,000 of tourist spending for the event, with the survey estimating 2,091 room nights at 56 different lodging businesses.
Cyclocross enthusiasts were encouraged by the numbers, especially considering the same study estimated just $1.44 million in spending at the USA Cycling Road National Championships, which were also hosted in Bend. The numbers put cyclocross closer to road racing in terms of economic impact, a good sign for those looking for the US cyclocross racing scene to expand, as this study will give some ammunition for ‘cross promoters looking to convince cities to host events.
