What’s the cost of coronavirus threat? Ask Rock Hill, York County’s tourism industry.
Editor’s note: A previous version of the article on heraldonline.com incorrectly stated the estimated economic impact of coronavirus-caused cancellations for the City of Rock Hill’s Parks, Recreation and Tourism department. See the correct figures in the story.
Many sports events scheduled from mid-March to the end of April have been canceled due to the threat of coronavirus. That has meant significant economic losses and dramatic changes in operations for Rock Hill’s large and renowned sports tourism industry.
Here’s what you need to know.
Estimated economic impact of COVID-19
John Taylor, director of the City of Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism, told The Herald in a phone interview Tuesday that the coronavirus has caused the cancellation of 20 sports events.
“That equals around $9 million and some change in economic impact,” Taylor said. In addition to that, “around $450,000-$500,000” in direct revenue won’t be coming in either, which includes money made from the event’s admission, parking and concessions.
Canceled events also means a decline in employment opportunities. Taylor said about 80 seasonal workers aren’t employed because of the closures and 50 people who would’ve worked the events full-time are now either taking time off, or are being assigned other duties.
Billy Dunlap, the CEO of the county’s destination marketing organization Visit York County, said nine of his team’s events have been canceled from mid-March through the end of April, which equates to an estimated loss of $8-$10 million in economic impact.
As a point of reference, Visit York County contributed $38.2 million in direct economic impact, per its 2018-19 annual report. (This includes the $28.6 million in economic impact from sports tourism alone.)
“Pretty much everything for April, we’ve already lost,” Dunlap told The Herald on Monday. “We’re trying to salvage May right now. May and June. There are some events in May that have already been canceled, but there are some that are hanging on.”
Dunlap said if the organization isn’t able to host its May events, there would be an additional $2 million worth of economic losses.
“That’s a significant loss for the county,” Dunlap said. “It’s got a lot of trickle down, you know. When you lose an event like that, you’re losing hotel room nights. You’re losing meals and restaurants. You’re losing gas tax and Pennies for Progress and Hospitality Tax and Accommodations Tax.
“All of those things make up the tourism economy of York County.”
Some of Visit York County’s canceled events include the Palmetto Volleyball State Championships, USA Football Regional camp and the SIAC Track & Field championships — all of which were going to occur through April.
Rock Hill Sports and Event Center
On March 14, all Rock Hill Parks, Recreation and Tourism registered programming was indefinitely postponed due to the threat of coronavirus. Special events, like the Grand Opening of the Rock Hill Sports and Event Center on March 19 also were postponed.
The center, a multi-million-dollar complex that was expected to generate $10 million of the $30 million to $40 million estimated annual economic impact from Rock Hill-owned sports facilities, held its first event in December and has hosted many since then, including the 2020 MLK Basketball Showcase.
But the center hasn’t yet been open for public use for its full hours (7 a.m. to 9 p.m.).
A new date for the facility’s grand opening will be announced, according to City of Rock Hill’s website.
Taylor said some but not all of Rock Hill’s canceled sports events since mid-March were scheduled to take place in the center.
Sports tourism past April, into May
Dunlap said Visit York County is still planning to put on four events in May, and the organization is doing everything it can to be ready once the coronavirus-caused shutdowns are lifted.
“The biggest thing we’re doing is looking at our marketing plan,” Dunlap said. “When this thing comes to an end and people can start traveling again, everything that we’re hearing is that it’s going to be driving to destinations that are close to you. And the good thing is, we’re a 90% driving market.”
In other words, Visit York County wants to be in the “front of everyone’s minds when it comes time to travel,” Dunlap said. It’s doing that by focusing on marketing to potential travelers from Greenville, Spartanburg, Charlotte, Raleigh, Durham, Asheville and Columbia.
Taylor said while PRT events are canceled, not all facilities are closed.
“We’re trying to keep our open space and trails open as long as people practice social distancing, so people have a chance to go out and exercise like (Governor Henry McMaster) said,” Taylor said. “So do it, but do it in a safe way.”
This story was originally published April 15, 2020 at 8:28 AM.
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