‘Free’ SEA Games is aimed to boost spending and offset profit losses, says Cambodian govt

Football fans flock to Olympic Stadium on April 24 to get free tickets for the first South-East Asian (SEA) Games football match. - Phnom Penh Post/ANN

PHNOM PENH, April 24 (Phnom Penh Post/ANN): The upcoming South-East Asian (SEA) Games and Asean Para Games, to be hosted by Cambodia from May to June in a historic first, are expected to appreciably drive up demand for certain products and services as well as boost overall spending over their duration, injecting additional growth into the economy, according to local economists.

Some have suggested that, with the government shouldering many of the costs associated with these events that would typically be paid by athletes, their delegations, spectators and other stakeholders, spending could get a considerable lift and potentially make up for lost revenues.