Southern municipalities expect big economic boost from WRC round
Municipalities in Southern Estonia expect the WRC phase will bring a lot of benefits to the region's economy. A lot of accommodation has already fully booked for the first week of September.
The competition center of the WRC stage in Southern Estonia will be Tartu, which will host the machine park and the opening and closing ceremonies which will take place at the Estonian National Museum in Raadi.
The stages of the competition will most likely be run on the roads of Kanepi, Kambja and Otepää municipalities, reported ETV's "Aktuaalne kaamera" on Thursday.
The news the WRC stage will take palce on these roads in September will not only delight rally fans because locals expect this to greatly benefit the economy.
Piret Rammul, Kanepi rural municipality mayor said: "You don't have to be a rally fan to realize that such a big race is still very useful for the region. The direct benefits that could be gained for small producers, entrepreneurs or other people in the region, be it selling their products, accommodation and all other benefits. Plus, if we are seen on such a big TV audience as the WRC stage allows, then we will benefit later through tourism, whatever we get, not only Kanepi parish or a very small Maaritsa village, but still the whole of Estonia."
By now, rally organizers have already booked the largest accommodation companies in the area. Regular customers are better off getting beds in accommodation away from the centers.
Jaak Mae, a member of the board of Tehvandi Sports Center, said accommodation in September is usually not as full as it is now.
Mae said: "As of today, Kääriku still has a few vacancies, but the organizers have pre-booked here, Tehvandi hotel as many vacancies is still available. There are some vacancies in Kääriku and we have relatively small accommodation in Elva, so I think our three centers will be full."
He added the profits from the rally will help local businesses better recover from the coronavirus crisis. Due to the risk of infection, the number of spectators will be limited.
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Editor: Helen Wright