The Tribune

By NATARIO McKENZIE

Tribune Business Reporter

nmckenzie@tribunemedia.net

Organisers of Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas (SIMB) yesterday disclosed that this year’s event helped generate just over 1,800 room nights and an estimated $2.5 million in visitor spending.

The event, which is now in its eighth year, drew 524 international participants from 21 countries. Those countries included the UK, Canada, Germany, Italy, the Philippines, the US, Spain, Australia, Austria, Chile, Argentina, Brazil, France, Hong Kong, Japan, Sweden, Trinidad, the US Virgin Islands, South Africa and New Zealand.

Rogan Smith, marketing coordinator for Sunshine Insurance, confirmed to Tribune Business that the race weekend generated a total of 1,815 room nights and estimated tourism expenditure of more than $2.5 million.

“For Sunshine Insurance Marathon Bahamas, the average length of stay was 3.5 nights. An average of 4.1 people were in a party, which translates to 1,717 persons. We have consistently found that runners from the US are travelling to our event and opting to remain in the Bahamas to take advantage of the Martin Luther King holiday weekend,” Ms Smith said

The Sunshine Insurance Race Weekend, held on January 14-15, is staged in partnership with the  Susan G. Komen Bahamas Race for the Cure 5K.

It is considered one of the nation’s leading annual sports tourism events, providing a much-needed resort industry boost during a lull in the winter calendar.