Jamaica's economy is getting a boost from the spin-off of locally staged motorsport events. Meets such as those held at Dover and the Palisadoes raceways have brought several visitors from the United States, Canada and Caribbean islands to our shores.

"The potential is great for this," said Olivia 'Babsy' Grange, minister of youth, sports and culture, who has endorsed the July 3-5 international go-kart meet at the Palisadoes International Raceway, Kingston.

drafted document

The minister outlined that sports tourism is an area which her ministry has been looking into, and currently, there is a drafted document - National Sport and Sport Industry Policy - which is to be brought before Cabinet.

"I am passionate about the contribution sports can make to the economy," said Minister Grange.

According to the government minister, a research three years ago revealed that sports was contributing the same percentage to the economy as agriculture and mining.

Pointing to next month's go-kart race meet, vice-president of the Jamaica Karting Association, Neil Williams, said he is expecting more than 100 tourists to attend the event.

"The Jamaica Hotel and Tourism Association will benefit from this because the people will be staying at hotels ... plus, they will be going on tours," said Williams.

strong publicity

Captain Mark Carey, an executive member of the Jamaica Race Drivers Club, said last month's race meet held at Dover, St Ann, did not only benefit from the cash that the visitors spent but also from the publicity gained from the international press.

"The meet itself generated employment for a number of people," Captain Carey said.Carey's colleague, David Summerbell, said that at each race meet at Dover at least 40 persons are employed to do the clean-up work.

"In addition, sometimes we have about 20 vendors selling food at the meet," said Summerbell.