Springs stands to gain from Rockies’ run

What’s good for Denver tourism is good for Colorado Springs tourism, at least in the case of the World Series, a local tourism official says.

Denver’s appearance in the World Series will be a major economic boon for the city, the Denver Metro Convention & Visitors Bureau says. A study from previous World Series shows an economic impact of about $2.4 million to $5 million per home game.

“The actual spending during the games is just the tip of the iceberg when you look at the impact something like this will have on tourism in the future,” said Richard Scharf, president and chief executive officer of the Denver bureau.

That benefit should trickle down to the Springs, said Lisa Amend, communicators manager for Experience Colorado Springs at Pikes Peak Convention and Visitors Bureau.

“If people come in for the games, oftentimes if they’re going to be in Denver over a weekend, they will come down to experience Garden of the Gods or the Air Force Academy Chapel,” Amend said.

Experience Colorado Springs doesn’t market the Rockies. That would drive people to Denver, Amend said.

But, she said, “because we play at a very broad level with our Internet marketing, we do stand to draw more visitors to our Web site when something like this happens, which can translate into more visitors to the region.” For example, she said, a Google search for Colorado and sporting events will put Experience Colorado Springs fairly high in the search.

Media coverage of the World Series, Scharf said, should raise interest in Colorado as a tourism destination.

He predicts the Rockies, which in 2006 were the sixthbiggest tourism attraction in Denver, will become the city’s most popular attraction next year.

“Colorado tourists are going to want to go to Coors Field and see the Rockies,” Scharf said.