Big screens to boost Euro 2008 revenues

Keystone

The European football championships will attract many more fans than previously expected to the games in Switzerland, which could triple revenues.

A study released on Friday says 5.4 million people could show up for the matches and follow the action on big screens in towns and cities across the country.

Previous estimates only took into account the one million seats available in the stadiums in Geneva, Zurich, Bern and Basel.

But the new figures released by the Federal Sports Office and the organising committee indicate that the so-called public viewing areas will also be a large drawing card.

The scheme, enabling people without tickets to see the games and enjoy the party atmosphere, proved to be a hit during last year’s World Cup in Germany.

Foreign visitors made the journey despite the fact they did not have tickets and watched the games on the screens.

The authors of the report said the viewing areas would help boost revenue to SFr 1.5 billion ($1.23 billion).

Actual profits could be worth up to SFr860 million, said Aymo Brunnetti of the sports office on Friday, or the equivalent of 0.18 per cent of Switzerland’s Gross Domestic Product.

Difficult estimates

Hotels and restaurants are expected to benefit most from the event, which is being co-hosted by Switzerland and Austria. But the construction and food industries, advertising and the media all stand to make financial gains as well.

“These figures aren’t set in stone,” added Brunetti. “Previous experiences with other big events, such as the World Cup in Germany, have shown how difficult it is to estimate the potential economic benefits.”

Swiss Sports Minister Samuel Schmid said he was particularly pleased with the forecast.

“It shows there is a real benefit for Switzerland,” he told Swiss public television. “If 6,000 jobs are created as the study says, there is a real economic value.”

The Swiss government’s delegate for Euro 2008, Benedikt Weibel, said that the estimated revenue would be higher than the authorities’ total outlay for the event.

“It shows there is a real benefit for Switzerland,” he told Swiss public television. “If 6,000 jobs are created as the study says, there is a real economic value.”

The Swiss government’s delegate for Euro 2008, Benedikt Weibel, said that the estimated revenue would be higher than the authorities’ total outlay for the event.

However, a recent report by the German institute for economic research said money spent by foreign visitors during the 2006 World Cup for example was well below what was hoped for.

The report’s authors also stated that there was no increase of private consumption in Germany at the time, contrary to earlier predictions.

Brunetti said that there were other benefits than revenue. “Switzerland can present itself to billions of people and will see its profile heightened abroad,” he pointed out.

swissinfo with agencies

Key facts

15 of the 31 Euro 2008 matches will be played in Switzerland and 16 in Austria.
Switzerland will play the opening match of the tournament at Basel’s St Jakob’s Park on June 7, 2008.
The final will be in Vienna on June 29.

Fighting prostitution

The Swiss authorities will provide financial support for an advertising campaign to combat the trafficking of women and forced prostitution during Euro 2008.

The SFr100,000 will be used to raise awareness of the issue among men.

The Swiss Coordination Unit against the Trafficking of Persons and Smuggling of Migrants analysed the situation during last year’s World Cup in Germany. Contrary to what had been expected, it found out that forced prostitution did not increase significantly during that event.

The coordination unit expects more of the same during Euro 2008, but cannot rule out isolated cases. It has recommended more police checks and prevention campaigns.