Study shows economic activity of Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights is more than 40 times its price tag

From a press release seen on the Winter Festival of Lights web site:

A detailed study of the 2009 Winter Festival of Lights found that the 59-day Festival generated $57.3 million in economic benefits for the region, more than 40 times the event’s fiscal year expenditures of $1.3 million.

In its 42-page report, Toronto-based research firm Enigma Research Corp., concludes that the 2009 Festival received more than 1.3 million visits by 413,000 unique visitors. These visitors spent approximately $57.3 million in the region throughout the festival, including $11.6 million on hotels and accommodations. The Festival contributed $34.4 million to Niagara’s gross domestic product and supported the equivalent of 646 full-year jobs in the Niagara Region.

The report is based on 600 on-site surveys conducted between November 7, 2009, and January 4, 2010, at the Festival’s lighting displays, fireworks shows, events and entertainment venues.

3 thoughts on “Study shows economic activity of Niagara’s Winter Festival of Lights is more than 40 times its price tag

  1. Wow!! And they had to get the city to ‘co-sign’ their loan for the Rink because of shortage of funds? I think it’s time that the tourist operators here start contributing much more to the WFOL, not only monetarily, but in participation also. It has to get bigger and better or it’s going to die, and that unbelievable 40:1 payback will be gone.

  2. Yeah all the tourist areas need to get involved, can you imagine if all the hotels big & small all put lights up and had displays and events going on Fallsview Blvd, Lundys Lane, Clifton Hill & Victoria Ave would be incredible and the payout would be even bigger!!! They should capitalize on this and create a true winter wonderland in the Falls!

  3. I find it so hard to believe that the Niagara Parks Commission and the hotels and other operators don’t contribute much to the Winter Festival of Lights. StEC is totally correct in saying that they all capitalize on the funding and workers provided by Niagara Falls and should be offering lights, displays and events in the different tourist areas.

    I agree that the event has to continue to grow and get better attractions each year or it will stagnate and that return will eventually reach lower and lower amounts. Literally, off the top of my head I can think of at least two areas offering similar Christmas Lights (Simcoe, and Owen Sound.)

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