Up to £200,000 has been made available from the Tourism Development Fund to secure the event, with the rest of the £1.3 million needed to host the event coming from sponsorship and the Super League Triathlon organisation.
However, that £200,000 payment has left very little in the pot for future investments. Senator Farnham said that his department would be putting together proposals to replenish the fund using money set aside for economic growth in the most recent Medium Term Financial Plan.
The minister hopes that not only could the Super League Triathlon – due to be held on 23 and 24 September – become a regular fixture in the Island’s events calendar but that a successful weekend will strengthen his calls for further States funds to be put into the tourism development pot.
He said: ‘We are completely focused on delivering the best show we can offer and hopefully we will see the positive impact events like this can have.
‘One of the ways I want to make tourism more productive in the winter months is with events. This is the first time we have had such a major event and if it is a success then it should lead to not only this becoming a more permanent fixture but encourage the Island to look for more big events in the winter months.
‘The Tourism Development Fund now is pretty much used up and the department are working on proposals for putting money back into the fund.’
The Super League Triathlon will be broadcast to a global TV audience and will involve about 50 of the world’s top triathletes – including Britain’s Olympic silver medallist Jonny Brownlee – competing for a £100,000 prize in both the men’s and women’s events.
Senator Farnham added: ‘We have to demonstrate that what we are asking for will make tourism more productive.
‘We are excited to have an event like this coming to Jersey and we could look to expand it in the future by incorporating the Jersey Marathon into an endurance fortnight.
‘It is really important for us to show support for our traditional industries like tourism and agriculture. An event like this should bring in valuable business at a typically quieter time for our hotels and could become a big part of a programme of events-led tourism.’
The Tourism Development Fund was set up in 2002, when £10 million was allocated to it.
