The Jamaica Football Federation (JFF) is expecting next month's Under-17 CONCACAF Championships (February 12 - 28) and the Caribbean Football Union (CFU) congress (February 12 - 16), both scheduled for Montego Bay, to pump in excess of $100 million into the country's economy.

In a release to the media, the JFF pointed out that the sum will be spent on transportation, accommodation and other related services throughout the tournament and will provide a direct line of revenue for other sectors.

The tournament itself is expected to bring in no less than 350 visitors to the island's shores, including match officials, players and CONCACAF staff over the two-week period

"The Under-17 Championships and the CFU Congress are expected to bring direct expenditure in excess of J$100 million," the document stated.

economic benefits

"The staging of the Under-17 CONCACAF Championships between February 12-28 is shaping up to bring significant economic benefits to the country and to the tourist resort of Montego Bay in particular," read the statement. "A total of approximately US$1 million (J$86 million) will be spent directly on transportation, hotel accommodation and related services for the officials and players of the 12 participating teams as well as the CONCACAF and JFF staff and other officials over the two-week period."

The JFF also pointed out that additional revenue is on the forecast from teams who will be staging camps in the island ahead of the tournament, which will be used as a qualifier for the FIFA Under-17 World Cup.

Canada's team played two games in November and stayed at the Sunset Resorts and the USA's team and officials will be in the island for five days, beginning January 26, to play two practice games against the hosts.

"The federation has received requests from other teams to come ahead of the tournament. The Haitian federation has solicited the support of the JFF in organising a 20-day training camp and there is also interest from Cuba in doing likewise," the statement continued.

"The country will not only benefit from the money spent in accommodation and transport. A wide cross section of economic sectors including: airport, advertising, media and television, vendors, beverage and food, construction as well as services in the fields of medical, insurance, security, laundry, printing and entertainment will all benefit from activities related to the tournament and the preparatory period," the release added.

The country will also host the 34th Caribbean Football Union congress which could bring an additional 150 visitors to the island.

"The staging of the CFU congress (an additional 150 hotel beds per night for three nights) ... will include delegates from the Caribbean as well as FIFA representatives who will be conducting bilateral meetings with the delegates. Once again the hotel and transport sectors will benefit directly from this event but additional sectors will also benefit," the statement continued.