The continuous dev’t of sport tourism could upsurge economic gains (1)

By Philip Gebu

News report indicates that President John Dramani Mahama has reaffirmed his support for golf in Ghana, describing the sport as a tool for tourism, wellness, and economic development. He made the remarks at the closing ceremony of the fourth FNB Head of State Invitational Golf Tournament at Achimota Golf Club in Accra.

Indeed sport tourism has always been a tool for economic development and can be harnessed in the fact that next year the world cup will be hosted in America, Canada and Mexico and the economic gains will be tremendous. With Ghana’s qualification, it is a big opportunity for many Ghanaians to plan their holidays alongside the tournament.

Understanding sport tourism?

Sport tourism refers to the experience of travelling to engage in or view sport-related activities. Two very important groups are involved in sports tourism; the athletes or sport men and women and the spectators including media. Over the past 30 years researchers have defined ‘sports tourism’ in many different ways. A universally accepted starting point is that provided by Standeven and De Knop (1999) in their book ‘Sports Tourism’ “All forms of active and passive involvement in sporting activity, participated in casually or in an organized way for non-commercial or business/commercial reasons that necessitates travel away from home and work locality”.

FIFA World Cup economic gains to the US economy

According to a joint study by FIFA and World Trade Organization (WTO) / Open Economics: for the U.S., hosting the 2026 World Cup is expected to generate about US$ 30.5 billion in gross output. That same study estimates a contribution of US$ 17.2 billion to U.S. GDP. It also forecasts the creation of around 185,000 full-time equivalent (FTE) jobs in the U.S. as a result of the World Cup.

FIFA World Cup economic gains to the Canadian economy

According to an economic-impact assessment tied to the tournament, Canada is expected to see about CAD 3.8 billion in positive economic output from hosting its share of the World Cup. Of that, the boost to Canada’s GDP is estimated at CAD 2.0 billion, while CAD 1.3 billion goes to labour income and about CAD 700 million to government revenue. The event is expected to create or preserve around 24,100 jobs across Canada in the run-up to and during the tournament (from 2023 to 2026).  On a regional level: for the host-province with 7 matches (British Columbia, including Vancouver), there’s a projected CAD 1.7 billion in economic output, with about CAD 980 million to GDP.  Similarly, the province with 6 matches (Ontario, including Toronto) could see ~ CAD 1.3 billion in output. What this means in practical terms: Canada should see increased business for hotels, restaurants, transport, tourism-related services, and other sectors; have more people employed; and get a boost to its national and regional income — at least over the 2023–2026 preparation and hosting period.

World cup economic gains to the Mexican economy

Recent public statements from the country’s football and tourism authorities project that Mexico will gain about US $3.0–$3.17 billion in economic benefits from hosting its portion of the tournament. The benefits are expected to come from tourism, hospitality, spending by visitors, and associated services — especially since Mexico expects a large influx of tourists (millions) for the 13 matches to be held there. Hosting the Cup is also driving substantial infrastructure investments in the three host-cities (e.g. stadium upgrades, transport, airports, urban works) — which could yield long-term benefits beyond just the tournament period. Job creation is part of the estimate too: the forecasts suggest on the order of ~ 24,000 jobs related to tourism, services and tournament logistics tied to the World Cup in Mexico. So Mexico is banking on a sizeable economic boost, much of it from tourism and event-driven spending plus infrastructure.

With the AFCON just around the Conner, for the 2023 edition (hosted by Côte d’Ivoire), local reports suggest the tournament generated about USD 200 million in direct and indirect income — thanks to boosts in hospitality, transport, catering, and related sectors. It also reportedly created around 50,000 jobs, many in SMEs and informal sectors.

Key Economic Benefits for Morocco from AFCON 2025

Surge in tourism, hospitality & services

Hosting AFCON is expected to bring a significant increase in foreign and domestic visitors: tourist-arrival forecasts during the event point to a 10–20% increase. That translates into more business (hotels, restaurants, transport, local commerce) — which boosts income for hotels, restaurants, shops, local tours, handicrafts, transport providers etc. The added spending supports small businesses and informal economy players: artisans, vendors, service-staff, tour operators — contributing to local livelihoods and community-level economic activity. Job creation and short-/medium-term employment boost will be another great benefit to the Moroccan economy.

When it comes to Golf, the 2025 Masters had a record prize purse of US $21 million.  Sponsorship revenue for the 2025 edition was estimated at US $60.45 million. The winner’s share in 2025 was US $4.2 million. So, just in direct official revenue — prize money and sponsorships — a top golf tournament like the Masters brings tens of millions of dollars.

But “revenue for the event organizers / stakeholders / local economy” can be much higher: the total economic ecosystem around golf (courses, tourism, travel, services, equipment, real estate) is substantial. For example: According to an industry-wide estimate, golf generated a direct economic impact of nearly US $102 billion in the United States alone (in 2022), across all facilities, tourism, retail, events, and more.  Counting indirect and induced effects (travel, accommodation, ancillary spending, jobs, services, etc.), the total golf-related economic footprint in the U.S. reaches around US $226.5 billion. 

That suggests that while a single tournament’s “official revenue” may be tens of millions, the broader economic impact of golf — including tournaments — is in the hundreds of billions (annually, for the U.S. as a whole).

Again, according to reports, the Open Championship 2025 (at Royal Portrush, Northern Ireland) the tournament generated £280 million (? US $369 million) in economic benefit for Northern Ireland, including a direct economic impact estimated at £89.2 million.

Of that, £43.7 million benefited directly the local district (Causeway Coast & Glens) around the course. Additionally, the global media exposure (broadcast, online coverage, destination marketing) was valued at £191 million — a benefit in publicity and long-term tourism promotion, beyond immediate spending. This demonstrates that a major golf tournament can inject hundreds of millions (USD equivalent) into a region’s economy — via hotels, transport, local commerce, tourism, marketing value, and more.

A careful evaluation of football and golf in terms of economic benefit of sport tourism highlights a very positive economic gain which cannot be overlooked. In line with the President’s call, sports administrators and sponsors must begin lobbying for some of these major sport event to be hosted by Ghana. A lot of infrastructure to have been made and there is room for more. If Ghana is going to benefits economically from sport tourism, the journey must begin now.

Philip Gebu is a Tourism Consultant and founder of Maximum Impact Tourism Club. He is the C.E.O of FoReal Destinations Ltd, a Tourism Destinations Management and Marketing Company based in Ghana and with partners in many other countries. Please contact Philip with your comments and suggestions. Write to [email protected] / [email protected]. Visit our website at www.forealdestinations.com or call or WhatsApp 233(0)244295901/0264295901.Visist our social media sites Facebook, Twitter and Instagram: FoReal Destinations

 

 

 

 

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