Tour de Corse and the Corsican Economy

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Each year, Corsica can count on the island’s most important annual event, the Tour de Corse Historique (see report page 28).  Considered a real economic lever at the start of the autumn season, for one week, restaurateurs, hoteliers, caterers, transport companies and other local infrastructures benefit from the excitement of the event thanks to the 3,200-strong organising caravan and the many visitors who come to admire the rolling motoring heritage.

With nearly 400 entrants, the Tour de Corse Historique brings a lot to the local economy by its sheer scale, Photo Frédéric Chambert

From Porto-Vecchio to Propriano, via Lucciana and Calvi, the Tour de Corse passes through some of Corsica’s most emblematic landmarks, including the Col de Bavella, perched at an altitude of 1,218 metres, and the citadel of Calvi.  Each year, the organisers redesign the route to offer competitors and spectators an exceptional panorama of landscapes and historic sites. 

It is estimated that the event brings 3 million euros to the local economy.  In addition to the 380 cars entered, the Tour’s caravan carries 760 competitors, 650 support staff, 900 companions, and 450 officials and media representatives.  Over five days, this represents 14,770 hotel nights, over 26,000 meals, and sea and air transport costs of €358,000 and €48,000 respectively.  Flights from Finland, England and Italy illustrate the rally’s international dimension.

These stories are all from the pages of Historic Motor Racing News.  Some have been abbreviated for this web site.  If you'd like to receive the full version, please visit our subscription page where you will find postal subscriptions available.  A full subscription also entitles you to access the current issue online (available soon), so you can take it with you and read it anywhere, and we are working on providing full access to our archives of back issues exclusively for our subscribers.