WRC Croatia Rally Last Year Brought Revenue of 105 Million Euros to Croatian Tourism

WRC Croatia Rally last year brought over 105 million euros to Croatian tourism, with more than 310,000 spectators following the speed tests on Croatian roads. These are the results of the expert study ‘Socio-economic Impacts of WRC Rally Croatia 2022 on the Central Croatia Area’ conducted by the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb.

At the presentation of the expert study at the Faculty of Economics in Zagreb, the personal envoy of the Minister of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia, State Secretary Josip Pavić, the Vice Dean for Strategic Partnerships and Projects of the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb, Dr. sc. Kosjenka Dumančić, as well as representatives of local communities and counties where the speed tests of the WRC Croatia Rally are held, executive representatives of the Croatian Tourist Board and the Croatian Automobile and Karting Federation, and the organizational team of the WRC Croatia Rally led by the chairman of the organizing committee of the WRC Croatia Rally, Daniel Šaškin, were present.

– The Government of the Republic of Croatia has truly recognized the importance of such events for promoting Croatia as a desirable destination for sports tourism and has gladly accepted the partnership in organizing the WRC, securing a total of 3 million euros for 2022, 2023, and 2024. Considering the importance of promotion that sports offer, a series of other sporting events will also be organized next year, with the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia as a partner – emphasized Josip Pavić, State Secretary of the Ministry of Tourism and Sports of the Republic of Croatia.

The results of the conducted study reveal that 310,000 spectators followed the races live, which strongly reflected on the increased number of overnight stays by tourists in the counties that hosted the speed tests. The WRC Croatia Rally thus confirmed its status as a unique regional event, given that one-third of the visitors came from countries in Central, Western, and Southeastern Europe. The total economic impact for the Republic of Croatia is estimated at over 105 million euros.

– First and foremost, this is a mega sports spectacle whose effects Croatia has not had from any sporting, cultural, or any other event so far. The results of the 2022 study showed that this project is both economically and socially sustainable and that Croatia should continue to host the WRC – said Dr. sc. Oliver Kesar, a professor at the Department of Tourism at the Faculty of Economics at the University of Zagreb.

Last year’s WRC Croatia Rally also resulted in great media interest, with as many as 400 media representatives arriving in Croatia to report on the exciting speed tests and the skills of today’s best rally drivers. Interestingly, the average spending per spectator at the Croatia Rally is higher than average, amounting to 263 euros, while total budget revenues exceed 12 million euros.

One-third of the visitors to the WRC Croatia Rally came from outside Croatia, with the majority from neighboring Slovenia and Hungary, but also from other European countries such as the Czech Republic, Romania, Finland, Norway, Belgium, and others. It is estimated that the WRC Croatia Rally generated up to 170,000 overnight stays, positively impacting the occupancy of accommodation capacities in Varaždin, Krapina-Zagorje, Zagreb, Karlovac, and Primorje-Gorski Kotar counties, as well as in the City of Zagreb.

– We are very pleased that this expert study has also provided scientific confirmation of our claims that the arrival of such a global sporting competition in Croatia brings significant positive effects, with a strong tendency for further growth. Thanks to Professor Kesar, his team, and the Faculty of Economics for producing this expert study, as well as all the partners with whom we will tirelessly work this year to present Croatia in the best possible light on the world rally scene – added Daniel Šaškin, chairman of the organizing committee of the WRC Croatia Rally.

The WRC Rally Croatia, in its second year of holding, last year once again highlighted its potential as one of the most promising sporting events in Croatia and the region, whose contribution to the development of auto-moto sports, tourism offerings, and the promotion of Croatia can further grow in the future. The World Rally Championship returns to Croatia this year for the third time, where from April 20 to 23, elite rally drivers will compete for points and the best placement in the overall standings, according to their statement.