FIA WRC can bring huge economic benefits to Jordan

Speaking last night about his fact finding visits to several FIA WRC rounds over the past eight months, the Chairman of Jordan Motorsport pointed out that during the rally week alone, US$20 million could be poured into the local economy by the thousands of team members, media and fans that follow the global roadshow.

"This is just a rough figure but economic impact studies carried out by the rounds we have visited have shown that this can be as much as US$40 million and certainly no-less than US$15 million," said Prince Feisal.

"This doesn't take into consideration the longer term benefits from Jordan being showcased to a television audience of 800 million people in 196 countries. In terms of promoting a country, there is no better sport than rallying and the return on our investment would certainly make it all worthwhile. An FIA WRC event can bring huge economic benefits to Jordan."

Prince Feisal has attended FIA WRC events in Turkey, Sardinia, Australia, Monte Carlo and more recently New Zealand to promote Jordan's bid to join the global championship and to gather information to ensure such an event would be worthwhile for the Kingdom.

His Royal Highness also pointed out that the FIA WRC dream is sparking new projects including the development of a stunning new tourist area overlooking the Dead Sea. This will become the new rally home in 2006. An FIA WRC event would also require the training of 2,000 volunteers whom the Prince believes will become important stake holders for not only rallying but for sport in general.

"A trained and dedicated army of volunteers is the most important part of any event so to have as many as 2,000 people ready and willing will be a huge benefit for a number of sports," he said.

Should Jordan be successful in securing a future round of the FIA WRC, the Kingdom will benefit from:

• US$15-US$40 million poured annually into the local economy

• Up to 1,500 people work on the FIA WRC and travel to every country

• Every round is covered by up to 300 journalists from 40 countries

• Television coverage in 196 countries with 800 million viewers

• Footage shown on all major news channels, ensuring global TV saturation
• Estimates of between 5-15,000 fans traveling from overseas

• Huge potential for inward tourism and business investment

• Regeneration of a brand new tourism area overlooking the Dead Sea
• Building an army of 2,000 volunteers

The Jordan Rally is less than two weeks away and will burn up the desert, mountain and forest tracks from May 5-7. A bumper field is expected once the entry book closes on April 23.