TT 2018 figures

Summary

A request for detailed figures regarding the 2018 Isle of Man TT was partially fulfilled, with the Department for Enterprise providing survey reports and economic assessments for some questions but confirming they do not hold data on the percentage of visitor income spent off-island.

Key Facts

• The Department for Enterprise does not hold exact visitor figures because airport and harbour data mixes residents and visitors.
• Questions regarding first-time visitors, exchequer benefit, and survey percentages were answered via the TT 2018 Visitor Survey report.
• The overall cost of the event is detailed in a separate Economic Impact Assessment published by the Cabinet Office.
• The authority confirmed it does not hold information on the percentage of the estimated £26M spent off-island.
• A second Economic Impact Assessment examining the wider economy was scheduled for publication by January 2019.

Data Disclosed

• 16000
• £26M
• £26.8 million
• 2018-09-26
• 2018-10-12
• January 2019
• 611967

Exemptions Cited

• Information not held by the public authority

Original Request

I refer to a recent press release and reported comments by Rob Callister MHK 1. Why only an estimated figure of visitors as exact figures can be obtained from the airport and harbour authorities? 2. How was the figure of 16000 first time visitors arrived at? 3. How is the exchequer benefit arrived at? 4. What is the known overall cost of running the event? 5. What percentage of the estimated total of visitors were questioned during the survey? 6. What percentage of the estimated £26M id spent off island? (ie Homestay income used on holidays off island?

Data Tables (1)

Full Response Text

Freedom of Information Co-ordinator 1st Floor, St Georges Court Upper Church Street, Douglas Isle of Man IM1 1EX

Telephone: (01624) 682381 Website: www.gov.im/dfe Email: anthony.walker@gov.im

Our ref: 611967 12 October 2018

Dear ###

We write further to your request which was received on 26 September 2018 and which states:

"I refer to a recent press release and reported comments by Rob Callister MHK 1. Why only an estimated figure of visitors as exact figures can be obtained from the airport and harbour authorities? 2. How was the figure of 16000 first time visitors arrived at? 3. How is the exchequer benefit arrived at? 4. What is the known overall cost of running the event? 5. What percentage of the estimated total of visitors were questioned during the survey? 6. What percentage of the estimated £26M id spent off island? (ie Homestay income used on holidays off island?"

We requested clarification from you that the press release you referred to was in relation to the Isle of Man TT Visitor Survey 2018 and provided a link to the Survey report itself: https://www.gov.im/media/1362915/tt-2018-visitor-survey.pdf You responded: “Thank you for your response. The actual visitor survey you sent was very helpful and answered questions 2, 3 and 5 in my FOI request. I look forward to reading the answer to questions 1, 4 and 6.” Our response to question numbers 1, 4 and 6 of your request is as follows: Page 2 of 3 Q1) The Department holds information which states that passenger figures from the airport and Steam Packet include a mix of visitors and residents. The survey is designed to take a sample of departing passengers in order to calculate the number of those visiting specifically for the TT. Q4) The Department holds comprehensive information only on expenditure relating to the Motorsport Division. This will not show the “overall cost” for the event, as other Department’s incur costs relating to the TT. However in June 2018 an Economic Impact Assessment of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling was published by the Economic Affairs Division of Cabinet Office. The assessment, which details the costs of the TT and Festival of Motorcycling, is available here: https://www.gov.im/media/1361842/2018-05-08-tt-and-festival-of-motorcycling- economic-impact-assessment-part-1.pdf Q6) We assume that the “estimated £26M” you refer to in your question is the “contribution to Manx National Income of £26.8 million” from the total expenditure of TT visitors which is detailed in the TT 2018 Visitor Survey, for example in the “Main Findings” section on page 3. While our aim is to provide information whenever possible, in this instance the public authority does not hold or cannot, after taking reasonable steps to do so, find the information that you have requested. This is because the Department does not hold any information on the percentage of income which is spent off-Island. However you may wish to note that the Economic Affairs Division of Cabinet Office intends to publish, by January 2019, a second Economic Impact Assessment paper which will examine the effect of the TT on the wider economy (see page 14, headed “Next Steps” in the Assessment which we have provided a link to above). Please quote the reference number 611967 in any future communications.

Your right to request a review

If you are unhappy with this response to your freedom of information request, you may ask us to carry out an internal review of the response, by completing a complaint form and submitting it electronically or by delivery/post.

An electronic version of our complaint form can be found by going to our website at https://services.gov.im/freedom-of-information/Review . If you would like a paper version of our complaint form to be sent to you by post, please contact me and I will be happy to arrange for this. Your review request should explain why you are dissatisfied with this response, and should be made as soon as practicable. We will respond as soon as the review has been concluded.

If you are not satisfied with the result of the review, you then have the right to appeal to the Information Commissioner for a decision on; 1. Whether we have responded to your request for information in accordance with Part 2 of the Freedom of Information Act 2015; or 2. Whether we are justified in refusing to give you the information requested.
Page 3 of 3 In response to an application for review, the Information Commissioner may, at any time, attempt to resolve a matter by negotiation, conciliation, mediation or another form of alternative dispute resolution and will have regard to any outcome of this in making any subsequent decision. More detailed information on your right to a review can be found on the Information Commissioner’s website at www.inforights.im. Should you have any queries concerning this letter, please do not hesitate to contact me. Further information about freedom of information requests can be found at www.gov.im/foi.

I will now close your request as of this date.

Yours sincerely

Anthony Walker