Organizers of the Teva Mountain Games released the results of an economic impact study conducted during the event, concluding that the five-day festival generated over $4.6 million in incremental revenue for the local economy. The sixth annual Teva Mountain Games took place in Vail from May 30 to June 3, with over 1,600 registered athletes competing and an estimated 30,000 spectators in attendance.
“Were incredibly proud of the organic growth the Mountain Games has achieved over the past six years,” states event organizer Joel Heath of Untraditional Marketing. “This year was definitely our biggest and best event yet and this study validates it. We owe so much of our success to the tremendous support of the Vail community.”
During the event, a third party research group conducted random, in-person intercept interviews to complete the economic impact study. The study determines that of the estimated 30,000 people in Vail during the event, 58 percent came specifically to attend the Mountain Games.
Fifty percent of event attendees were overnight visitors, of which 53 percent stayed directly in the Town of Vail. Overnight Vail visitors spent an average of $283.49 on lodging, dining, entertainment and shopping per day and stayed an average 2.61 days. Day visitors averaged $27.66 in spending per day and returned to the event for an average 1.8 days. The study concludes that total expenditures for Mountain Games visitors totaled $4,642,924, of which $3,844,635 was spent directly in Vail.
Other highlights of the study include:
· 54% of people attending the Games had been to the event at least once before.
· 42% traveled over 100 miles for their visit to Vail.
· 71% were traveling in small groups of 2 5 people.
· The average age of those in Vail specifically for the Mountain Games was 38.
· One-half of those in town for the Mountain Games were staying in the Vail area overnight (29% Colorado residents and 21% out-of-state visitors).
· 45% of those visiting Vail specifically for the Mountain Games were aged 25 44.
