Hosting a global event such as the Olympic Games can have both positive and negative effects on the host country. (a) Describe two economic benefits that a ...
Question 1 Report
Hosting a global event such as the Olympic Games can have both positive and negative effects on the host country.
(a) Describe two economic benefits that a host country could gain from staging the Olympic Games. [4]
(b) Suggest two possible disadvantages for a host country. [2]
Answer Details
(a) Economic benefits of hosting the Olympic Games
Staging a global event brings significant economic activity to the host country:
Benefit 1: Increased tourism. Hundreds of thousands of international visitors attend the Games and spend money in hotels, restaurants, shops, and on transport. This boosts revenue for local businesses and generates tax income for the host city. [1+1]
Benefit 2: Job creation. The construction of stadiums, athletes' villages, and transport links creates thousands of jobs in the years leading up to the event. During the Games themselves, additional employment is generated in hospitality, security, and event management. [1+1]
Other acceptable benefits: increased investment from international businesses and sponsors; long-term economic boost from improved infrastructure. [max 4]
(b) Possible disadvantages for the host country
- High cost and overspending: Building venues and infrastructure often exceeds the original budget, leaving the host country or city with significant debt. [1]
- Underused venues: After the event, purpose-built stadiums and arenas may have no regular use, becoming costly to maintain - sometimes called 'white elephants'. [1]
Other acceptable answers: displacement of local residents during construction; increased security costs; disruption to daily life during the event. [max 2]
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