[LINK] "Pride 2009's economic impact: $136-million"

[rfmcdonald]

This summer's gay pride was good for Toronto.

According to figures released by Pride Toronto today, Pride Week 2009 brought an estimated $136-million to the city despite the event happening in the midst of the summer garbage strike.

That’s up from $99.1-million generated from Pride Week 2006, the last year for which figures were immediately available.

“These economic benefits are exceptional,” said Michael Harker of Enigma Research Corporation, which conducted the 2009 economic impact study for Pride Toronto. “The estimates are considerably higher than we have seen at many similar sized festivals and sporting events throughout North America.”

According to the study, $33-million was spent at restaurants and bars across the city, while $12-million was spent on Toronto hotels.

Of the total, $94.3-million came from tourists visiting Toronto from over 80 kilometres away. A survey conducted during Pride Week 2009 found that 80 per cent of those surveyed said they are “very likely” to return to the city for Pride Week 2010.

I'd prefer to see figures provided by organizations unattached to the Pride planning committee, and I wonder whether the Pride event displaced tourists who might have otherwise come, but interesting stats nonetheless.