By Alan Lytle
Lexington, KY – A new economic impact study released this week shows the Commonwealth of Kentucky generated some 201.5 million dollars of business by hosting the World Equestrian Games. The analysis by the Versailles-based research firm Certec, says 128.2 million comprised direct spending, another 73.3 million in indirect spending. Kentucky Governor Steve Beshear says the games were a particular boon to the state's 11.3 billion dollar a year tourism industry:
"About 55 million dollars of this direct spending took place right here at the Kentucky Horse Park and other facilities that were attached to the games. The rest of it occurred in areas around the state. That included 39.6 million dollars on lodging. 15.8 million dollars on food outside of the horse park, and 3.8 million dollars on attractions elsewhere in the state."
The report showed that the World Equestrian Games Foundation reported selling or providing complimentary tickets to 419,853 visitors. They came from 63 countries and all fifty states.