(ATR)The Rugby World Cup could generate approximately $1.07 billion for Ireland in 2023, according to a consulting firm with bases in Clare and Dublin.
W2 Consulting, established by former Irish rugby player Keith Wood and sports consultant Mark O'Connell, will expand upon its claim at the upcoming Shannon Airport European Sport Tourism Summit.
The 2023 Rugby World Cup could attract "up to 350,000 visitors," Wood tells the Irish Independent. He adds that the event could produce up to $8.5 million in in revenue for the country and thousands of jobs.
"Couple that with the €200m [$2.1 million] we anticipate sport tourism will be generating annually and you hit the €1bn [$1.07 billion] mark in terms of revenue from sport tourism in one year," Wood says.
O'Connell says the figure of $8.5 million is "reasonably conservative."According to O'Connell, the number is based on estimates by the Irish Rugby Football Union and England's projected budget for the 2015 Rugby World Cup.
"It would be a cautious enough figure," O'Connell says."People coming to the Rugby World Cup tend to spend longer here than the average tourist, about six to seven days, and would spend more."
O'Connell adds that the Rugby World Cup could be Ireland's opportunity to enhance its reputation on the international sports stage.
"It could play into the longer term view of Ireland, build a platform and prove that we could host other mega sporting events."
Several countries - including Argentina, France, Italy and South Africa - have expressed interest in hosting the Rugby World Cup in 2023.
France last hosted the event in 2007, and South Africa has not hosted a Rugby World Cup since 1995.
Ireland formally announced intentions to launch a bid for the tournament in Dec. 2014.
The U.S. is reportedly considering a bid for either the 2023 or 2027 Rugby World Cup.
The window to express interest in a possible bid opens on May 14 and closes June 15. A tournament host will be named in 2017.
This year's tournament will be held in England. The 2019 edition will take place in Japan.
Written byNicole Bennett
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