MILLIONS of pounds of extra tourism, trade and investment could be secured from the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games under plans that would also bolster the region’s post-Covid-19 economic recovery, say leaders.
The West Midlands Combined Authority (WMCA) has been asked to approve using £2.6millon for a programme of activities designed to “squeeze even more from the Games which are already expected to bring millions of extra pounds into the West Midlands economy and create thousands of jobs”.
The plan is to submit a Tourism Trade and Investment (TTI) programme to government to secure a further £21.3million of match funding earmarked by Chancellor Rishi Sunak in the Budget.
The combined £24million would “help create an economic legacy for the region”.
Potential initiatives in the TTI programme could include domestic and international tourist campaigns and trade missions to key Commonwealth markets.
Although the government was first approached with the proposal last year, the TTI Programme has taken on added impetus amid the coronavirus pandemic and the need for a strong economic recovery, says WMCA.
West Midlands Mayor Andy Street said: “We are incredibly lucky to be hosting the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games at a time when economies everywhere will still be rebuilding from the impact of Covid-19.
“The Games offer us a unique economic bonus and it’s imperative we do everything we can to make the most of this once-in-a-generation opportunity and create thousands of local jobs for local people.”
The programme would be managed by the WMCA alongside partners including the Department for International Trade, Visit Britain, DCMS, Birmingham City Council and the Birmingham 2022 Organising Committee (OC).
The TTI Programme would be part of wider plans already in place to capitalise on the Games and help make sure the thousands of jobs created are filled by local people.
To help make that happen, the WMCA and its partners have launched a new Commonwealth Jobs and Skills Academy, to accelerate and amplify plans to improve regional skills and employment opportunities through the Games. There will be a particular focus on supporting young people and unemployed adults.
