Southern 100 survey

Visitors attending the 2016 Southern 100 International Road Races on the Billown Course spent an estimated £1.4 million while they were on the Island, according to the latest survey carried out to help build a picture of the economic impact of motorsport on the Isle of Man. The study, conducted by Carse Hannay, an economic and business research consultancy based in Douglas, on behalf of the Motorsport Division of the Department of Economic Development, revealed that around 3200 visitors came for the 61st Southern 100 – around double the number when the event was last surveyed in 2010. It also concluded that on average visitors stayed for five nights, mainly in hotel or guesthouse accommodation, with a quarter of those present camping using motorhomes, caravans and tents. Apart from visitors arriving from the British Isles and the Republic of Ireland, the survey noted that fans had travelled from as far as Argentina, Australia, Belgium, France, Holland, Norway, Switzerland and the United States. Around 72% of the visitors had previously visited the Island for the Southern 100, with 83% attending every year. The contribution to the Manx national income is just over £1 million, with the Exchequer benefiting by £182,000.