FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Contact: Beth Johnson
(703) 432-1165
More than $31 Million Spent in Washington DC area by Participants and
Spectators of the Marine Corps Marathon
New Study Released from the George Washington University International
Institute of Tourism Studies
QUANTICO, VA- The Washington DC Metro area received $31.7 million in
spending over the Marine Corps Marathon weekend during October 2006
according to a recent report from the George Washington University
International Institute of Tourism Studies. The study, which randomly
interviewed runners and spectators- both local and visitors, found that
more than 96,000 people came to the area as a part of the MCM generating a
62% increase in dollars spent from the same weekend in 2004 and a more than
160% increase from dollars spent the same weekend in 2002.
Marathon visitors over the average three-day stay predominately spent on
food, lodging, entertainment, local transportation and retail purchases.
This generated more than $2.2 million in tax revenue, up 69% from 2004.
Virginia was the dominant recipient of runner and spectator spending on
lodging and restaurants, bringing more than half of the money spent.
In 2006, the MCM and Arlington County formally announced a marketing
partnership, established to enhance the economic and tourism opportunities
generated by the annual event. This program included joint promotional
ventures, a new recycling effort and the creation of the MCM Finish
Festival in Rosslyn.
"As a host and partner of the Marine Corps Marathon, we're very proud to
welcome runners, race officials, visitors and other guests to Arlington for
the most popular marathon in the Washington, D.C. region," stated Arlington
Board Chairman Paul Ferguson. "Our entire community benefits greatly from
the marathon, enjoying both cultural and economic gains from the race."
Runners and their parties spent more than $16 million in restaurants and
retail purchases over the weekend. On average, runners and their parties
stayed 3.1 nights at area hotels generating an additional $10 million in
revenue.
In addition to the economic impact, the Marine Corps Marathon provided a
means for more than 3,500 charity runners raise in excess of $5 million for
both local and national causes. The program's thirteen-year total of more
than $40 million includes contributions to the fundraising efforts of
long-standing partners the Lymphoma and Leukemia Society and St. Jude's
Heroes program, as well as many others.
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