Sports lovers and tourists will flock to the Upstate Thursday as the first and second rounds of the NCAA tournament play out at Bons Secours arena in Greenville.
Felipe Tobar, Ph.D., an international scholar from Brazil, is an assistant professor in the Parks, Recreation and Tourism Management Department at Clemson University. He has found the impacts of March Madness in South Carolina will be felt not just on the courts, but in the state's economy.
Tobar, who specializes in the intersection of sport, tourism and major events, says the state's hospitality sector sees the biggest gains when NCAA fans come to South Carolina. Economists say the books comes from purchases like hotel bookings and restaurant orders.
"During March Madness, food and beverage establishments can see a revenue increase up to 30%," said Tobar.
It isn't just purchases that fuel South Carolina's economy. According to the Clemson asst. professor, the reputation Greenville and South Carolina receives for its ability to host an NCAA tournament game has lasting positive impacts.
"It can greatly impact the state's tourism profile," Tobar explained. "Successfully managing this type of event, which is televised nationally, shows and sends a clear message to sports organizations that the city has the infrastructure and the operational know-how to handle those types of sporting events."
The NCAA tournament is one of the most watched sporting events in the nation, primarily among 16 to 25-year-olds.
Tickets to games hosted in Greenville can be bought online.
