Gay Games Hong Kong delivers economic boost of US$25.5 million
A post-event study has revealed that the Gay Games 11 Hong Kong 2023 (GGHK) has delivered an economic boost of about US$25.5 million – and unlike previous games the Hong Kong games were privately funded and operated by volunteers meaning no direct government funding contributed to the economic impact.
The study, conducted by academics from the Department of Economics at Kent State University in Ohio, USA, found that local earnings increased by about US$13 million during the Games, and created the equivalent of 439 jobs.
GGHK was held from 3rd–11th November 2023 and included 18 sports with over 500 matches/events, gala concerts, a festival village as well as opening and closing ceremonies. The event attracted about 5,600 visitors, including 2,380 participants of which 30% were non-local.
Direct and indirect spending by non-local participants and visitors/guests contributed US$12 million while spending by GGHK – the first Gay Games funded solely by corporate and private donations without Government financial support – accounted for almost US$8 million of the economic impact.
Study authors Dr Shawn Rohlin and Dr Nadia Greenhalgh-Stanley said that the GGHK provided an important economic impact for Hong Kong, including higher revenues for local businesses and new local jobs.
The authors noted “The Gay Games provided an important positive contribution to the Hong Kong economy across many important industries, including hotels, restaurants, entertainment and retail, which provided spill-over effects throughout the economy.
“The 11th edition of the Gay Games held in Hong Kong encouraged local athletes to stay within the local area, rather than having to travel out of town to participate in these competitions. Unlike previous games the Hong Kong games were privately funded and operated by volunteers meaning no direct government funding contributed to the economic impact.”
GGHK co-chairs Lisa Lam and Alan Lang said that the Games had not only contributed to the local economy but had also provided a positive and welcoming environment for participants and their supporters.
The staging of the Games in Hong Kong also encouraged participation by local athletes and supporters, providing an opportunity to help create history by being part of the first Gay Games in Asia.
GGHK generated considerable positive media coverage for the event and, by extension, Hong Kong. Based on GGHK’s own (non-exhaustive) tracking, the Games led to over 1600 pieces of unique content in local and global media.
Positive content covered points such as celebrating unity in diversity, cultural shift towards more inclusivity, overcoming the challenges of organising the event, enthusiasm of participants, the successful staging of the Games, and the high-level support from ExCo Convenor Regina Ip.
GGHK social media channels extended the global exposure of content with a combined reach of about 9.5 million on the official facebook and Instagram pages.
A post-event survey of participants by the Federation of Gay Games (FGG) found that those who took part in the Games considered their experience joyful and meaningful.
GGHK co-chairs Lisa Lam and Alan Lang shared “Participants appreciated the inclusive atmosphere, and were grateful to have helped create history by supporting the LGBTQ+ community to stage the first Gay Games in Asia.
“While we did face a number of challenges – particularly in securing venues – the whole GGHK team and our dedicated volunteers worked extremely hard to realise the FGG ethos of ‘Unity in Diversity’ and ‘Games for All’. We deeply appreciate the unwavering support we received from Regina Ip and Allan Zeman who supported us throughout our whole journey.
“We are very thankful for all the support we received from the corporate sector, especially our Platinum Partners Marriott Bonvoy and YouTube/Google, and our Silver Partners Standard Chartered, Gilead Life Sciences and HSBC. A large number of companies also sponsored teams or athletes.
“This high level of corporate support made the Games possible and contributed significantly to the success of the Games. All the corporate sponsors and supporters have shown by their actions and financial support that diversity and inclusion are important values to uphold for an international city like Hong Kong More than 50 companies provided value-in-kind, product and discount, or cash support.”
GGHK received very favourable feedback on the high quality and impact of the Opening Ceremony and its moving performances and inclusion of Hong Kong talent.
Hong Kong also ranked highly in areas such as organisation, customer service, personal safety and an overwhelming lack of discrimination.
The next Gay Games will be held in Valencia, Spain, in 2026.
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