Associated Press, 07/15/99
BOSTON - The economic impact of the All-Star Game was more of a windfall than tourism officials expected, according to early estimates.
The unanticipated success of the John Hancock FanFest and evidence of higher-than-expected retail sales have officials at the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau predicting that spending may come closer to Major League Baseball's estimate of $62 million. That's well over their own prediction of $50 million to $54 million.
The increasing popularity of the All-Star FanFest spurred the strong performance. About 110,000 people attended the event in the Hynes Convention Center, about 38 percent more than had been expected.
The event set records for single-day attendance for indoor events Saturday, Sunday and Monday and saw sales of licensed goods in excess of $500,000 and concessions in excess of $450,000.
There are also indications that people spent more money on Major League Baseball-licensed goods than previously anticipated, said Patrick Moscaritolo, president and chief executive of the Greater Boston Convention & Visitors Bureau.
