The Tribune

The IAAF World Relays generated 4,700 occupied room nights for Atlantis, a Cabinet Minister said yesterday, with the event attracting more than 1,400 visitors to the Bahamas.

Dr Daniel Johnson, minister of youth, sports and culture, unveiled preliminary economic data from the second version of the Relays, held on May 2-3, in the House of Assembly.

Dr Johnson added that in addition to the 4,744 rooms nights occupied at Atlantis, the host hotel for the event, members of the IAAF as well as athletes stayed in the Bahamas after the event,  with many visiting other islands.

The Minister said a survey completed for the inaugural edition of the World Relays in 2014 by a Canadian company indicated an economic impact of $23.5 million.

“Deloitte and Touche has been commissioned to carry out an economic impact assessment for the 2015 edition, and we anticipate and even greater financial impact when their report is presented in due course,” said Dr Johnson.

He said the total number of persons accredited and involved in the Relays was more than 5,000. He added that there were 161 persons employed with the Local Organising Committee (LOC), along with 693 volunteers, 227 service staff and 187 security staff. Some 688 athletes participated in the 10 events.

  “The coaches and officials totalled another 187 in number. In addition to the athletes and officials, host broadcasters and service providers saw an additional 401 persons come in for the event,” Dr Johnson said.

“These numbers do not include the IAAF Council, staff and accompanying guests - 149 persons - bringing the number of persons coming in to the Bahamas to approximately 1,425 persons.

“All told the number of persons accredited and involved in the event totalled just over 5,000.”

Dr Johnson added that the Thomas A Robinson Stadium had been filled to capacity, with an additional 2,500 bleachers seats added on both days of the event.