Open Championship delivers multi million pound boost to the area

Dover District Council and Kent County Council are welcoming major news that this year's Open Championship delivered a massive £77 million boost to Kent, according to latest research announced yesterday.

The independent economic research, commissioned by The R&A, highlights an economic impact of £24.1m for Kent and a destination marketing benefit of £52.6m. The study shows an economic impact in East Kent of £21.2m. A total of 180,000 spectator admissions were recorded at The Open Championship this year.

The Open returned to the Royal St George's Golf Club in Sandwich from 10-17 July 2011. A range of partners, including Dover District Council and Kent County Council, worked together to ensure a safe and successful event.

Cllr Nigel Collor, Cabinet Member at Dover District Council and Chairman of the Open Golf Executive said: "The District Council is delighted that the numbers of visitors to the 2011 Open matched 2003 and that there was a substantial increase in benefit to the area this time.  Many organisations and partners such as Kent Police, Kent County Council, Southeastern, Stagecoach and colleagues in the East Kent Authorities contributed to the success of the event.  Following post event reviews, we are working with The R&A to see where we can continue to make improvements, including around transport arrangements, to further the success of the event when The Open returns."

Mike Hill, Cabinet Member for Customer and Communities at Kent County Council said: "The Open presented a real opportunity for Kent to benefit and thanks to the concerted efforts alongside partners and the focus on tourism by Visit Kent, the hard work has really paid off. In addition, a recently successful bid to the Government's Regional Growth Fund means an extra £40 million will help create new jobs and support local business in Canterbury, Thanet, Dover and Shepway. The Paralympics will be coming to West Kent next year and we will do everything we can to further maximise the benefits to the county from such a high profile sporting event."