Study: Top marks for FIS Nordic World Ski Championships

Exceptionally satisfied visitors, friendly hosts and a regional economic effect of 39.1 million euros – a study by Management Center Innsbruck and the University of Innsbruck prove positive effects of the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld in Tyrol.

Seefeld, 10.05.2019 – "I can't really imagine a better advertisement for Tyrol and Seefeld," says Governor Günther Platter about the results of a study by Management Center Innsbruck (MCI) and the University of Innsbruck on the economic impact and visitor satisfaction of the 2019 FIS Nordic World Ski Championships in Seefeld in Tyrol. "The study proves how well everything went and how great the atmosphere was. For this, I would like to thank the municipality, mayor, TVB, ÖSV, the emergency organisations and volunteers very much." The study is based on interviews with visitors to the World Championships from 20 February to 3 March. "We interviewed more than 900 visitors during the competition days and were able to determine, among other things, an extraordinary overall satisfaction of the visitors," summarises Prof. (FH) Mag. Hubert Siller, Head of MCI Tourism. Thus 97 percent of those surveyed were "very satisfied" (60%) or "satisfied" (37%) with their visit to the World Championships. The highest satisfaction ratings were achieved by the travel facilities, the atmosphere at the events, the friendliness of the staff, and the organisation of the events. "I am particularly pleased with the enormous satisfaction ratings, especially with regard to the organisation and friendliness. Seefeld has demonstrably proven itself to be a good host," said Seefeld's mayor Ing. Mag. Werner Frießer. The fact that according to the study 71% would recommend the Region Seefeld as a travel destination and 57% plan to visit Seefeld again in the next few years also pleases Elias Walser, Managing Director of the Region Seefeld TVB: "This shows that the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships are also sustainably valuable for the region from a tourism point of view and that we can expect positive effects and new regular guests in the medium and long term".

Enormous added value for the region
Of the approximately 65,400 visitors who were on site at the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships, more than two thirds (68%) came from outside Tyrol. 38% were from the host country Austria. Of the foreign visitors, 31% came from Germany, 15% from Norway and 7% from Switzerland. Due to the sometimes long duration of stay, the number of spectators reached 204,400, after many visitors attended several competitions. The MCI and the University of Innsbruck calculated that all visitors to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships generated a primary impulse of 26.1 million euros. The consumption multiplier of 1.5 assumed for such events leads to an induced regional economic effect of 39.1 million euros. "Seefeld is another positive example of how a major sporting event of the Austrian Ski Federation has created sustainably usable sports infrastructure. This means that in future perfect training facilities will be available in Seefeld for young Nordic skiers," explains Dr Klaus Leistner, Secretary General of the ÖSV. Speaking of infrastructure: the results of the survey regarding the journey to the FIS Nordic World Ski Championships are also positive. According to the survey, 38% travelled by train and another 33% by bus. Günther Platter concluded: "I could hardly have dreamed of such a positive result beforehand. We have been given an excellent report today. Many thanks for that!"