SPAIN will receive a welcome boost from international longhaul tourism if Madrid manages to outbid Istanbul and Tokyo for the right to host the 2020 Summer Olympics.
Despite the country’s much publicised financial woes, the Spanish capital recently emerged as the frontrunner among the three cities shortlisted to stage the quadrennial event.
According to Ignacio Fernández, CEO, Madrid Visitors & Convention Bureau, hosting the Olympics would serve to boost Madrid’s status as a hub for Asian sports enthusiasts.
“Madrid already has a good sporting image in Asia, thanks to its football teams, especially Real Madrid, and (winning the host city rights for the Olympics) should help a lot in attracting tourists from what is a very significant market”, he said.
While the International Olympic Committee (IOC) pointed out that the costs of preparing for the event could “prove to be a challenge” for Spain, Fernández countered that about 77 per cent of the required infrastructure was already in place.
This includes an Olympic stadium that is earmarked to become the future home ground of the city’s second football team, Atletico Madrid, “while the extra work needed to be done will in itself help reactivate the (Spanish) economy”, he said.
The IOC is scheduled to convene in Buenos Aires, Argentina on September 7, 2013 to elect the host city for the 2020 Summer Olympics.
