Bookings for TT2008 up 35 per cent!
Friday 26 October 2007
TT
The Centenary TT delivered record revenue to the Isle of Man economy, it has been announced.
The Isle of Man’s Department of Tourism and Leisure has also revealed bookings for TT 2008 are ahead of previous years.
Figures released on Friday by the DTL showed the 60,000 visitors spent an estimated £800-per-head, contributing about £48,000,000 to the Manx economy.
It has also been confirmed 23 per cent of visitors, some 13,800, were first time visitors to the Isle of Man. Further research discovered around 82 per cent of the visitors were male, with 74 per cent under 50 and 20 per cent under 35.
The DTL has actively begun a programme of promoting the TT to attract younger race fans. This is led by an advertising campaign featuring the TT Young Guns, including up and coming Manx rider Conor Cummins.
Many visitors said riding the course was their favourite part of the event, with 90 per cent claiming this was their highlight. The overall TT experience was rated good or excellent by 87 per cent of fans, with more than 80 per cent saying they definitely planned to visit again. These figures are supported by the increased bookings for TT 2008 – already up around 35 per cent on the number made by this stage in an average year.
The DTL said the commercial management and licensing programme run by sponsorship agency Signature Sponsorship Isle of Man Ltd has also delivered a significant return on investment to the event, funds which are ploughed back into the developing safety features and training.
TT 2007 delivered a 350 per cent increase from commercial contracts compared with the previous year, with 35 per cent of that revenue coming from sponsorship. The new brand identity proved popular with commercial partners, and all races in 2007 were sponsored, with leading UK bike insurance company Bennetts taking the title sponsorship. Negotiations on the 2008 races are currently underway with many sponsors expected to renew their contracts.
The 2007 TT was also of huge interest to the world’s media.
An estimated £4 million-worth of coverage was delivered globally in press alone, with features in national newspapers worldwide – including more than £1.2 million-worth of coverage from UK national newspapers.
The TT, filmed by Tromode based company Greenlight, which has the exclusive licence, was broadcast to a global audience of almost 700 million homes worldwide. It was shown on BBC Grandstand to 1,000,000 viewers, while ITV 4 ran 10.5 hours of programming, not including repeats.
There was also a major feature on BBC Breakfast news, with the BBC’s Chris Hollins experiencing a pillion ride around the course from local TT winner Richard ‘Milky’ Quayle. Milky also took BBC Radio 4 around the course as part of an hour-long programme broadcast live from the Island. In total, the TT received more than 5,000 minutes (84 hours) of coverage worldwide, not including repeats.
The DTL is now busy advancing plans for 2008 and beyond to ensure the long term quality, professionalism and safety in line with 21st Century expectations is delivered.
Tourism and Leisure Minister Adrian Earnshaw said:
‘I am delighted with what has been achieved in 2007 and look forward to seeing more new teams, high profile riders lining up in 2008.’
‘The TT is very much on the up and we are working with our partners and the motorcycle industry to successfully launch the event into its second century in June.'