Direct Economic Impact

Hosting an Expo requires a significant investment, but its economic impact is often much higher.​​ We have conducted a study to estimate the direct economic impact, based on visitor spend in the host city while visiting the Expo solely.​​The following projected attendance, visitation and economic impact are based on average AIPH expo days and attendees across different expos, typically consisting of 30% local residents and 70% visitors. The split of international/domestic visitors will vary based on location and ease of access to nearby countries.​​ Not included in this study are indirect economic benefits such as the creation of new jobs, delivering a positive economic impact across sectors; revenues from infrastructure use and increase of land cost, increased investment, growth of workforce skills – all the impacts creating a positive economic dynamics for decades after the Expo.​

Average projected attendance, visitation and direct economic impact across different Expos

1 Assuming 1.3 average days attended. 2 100% in-scope day-trippers and 80% in-scope overnight visitors. 3 Estimated 2.65 average nights for overnight visitors. 4 Assuming 15% day-trippers, 85% overnight visitors; €90 daily spend per overnight visitor and €38 per day tripper.​

Case study: 2003 IGA, Rostock, Germany (A1)​

​Budget: € 88,2 m (state subsidies)​

Attendance, visitation and direct economic impact:​

The post-expo reports for 2003 IGA did not include all data required to undertake economic impact calculations. As such, assumptions from other global events have been used in relation to average visitor nights, daily spend, day-trippers, overnight and in-scope visitors. ​

1 Assuming 1.3 average days attended. 2 100% in-scope day-trippers and 80% in-scope overnight visitors. 3 Estimated 2.65 average nights for overnight visitors. 4 Assuming 15% day-trippers, 85% overnight visitors; €100 daily spend per overnight visitor and €46 per day tripper.

Case study: 2010 Taipei International ​Flora Expo, Chinese Taipei (B)

Budget: € 283,8 m

Attendance, visitation and direct economic impact:

The post-expo reports for the 2010 Taipei IFE did not include all data required to undertake economic impact calculations. As such, assumptions from other global events have been used in relation to average visitor nights, daily spend, day-trippers, overnight and in-scope visitors.

1 Assuming 1.3 average days attended. 2 100% in-scope day-trippers and 80% in-scope overnight visitors. 3 Estimated 2.65 average nights for overnight visitors. 4 Assuming 15% day-trippers, 85% overnight visitors; €78 daily spend per overnight visitor and €31 per day tripper.​