Zandvoort anticipates benefiting for years from the “fantastic marketing machine” of Formula 1, according to Tom van der Veen, chairman of the entrepreneurs association Ondernemers Belangen Zandvoort. He spoke ahead of the provisional final edition of the Dutch Grand Prix, scheduled in two weeks.

After the first editions, the municipality of Zandvoort calculated that a Formula 1 weekend generates an economic boost of about 26 million euros for the seaside resort and supports 135 full-time jobs. The impact is even larger for the surrounding region. Those figures do not include the additional visitors Zandvoort attracts throughout the year because of the event’s visibility.

“We hear that people come to Zandvoort because they know it from Formula 1. That falls away, but it remains in people’s minds for the time being. We can continue with this for years,” Van der Veen said.

Hotels, restaurants, and beach pavilions in Zandvoort plan to offset the absence of Formula 1 by putting greater emphasis on business visitors.

“We can see that because of Formula 1 we are also on the map as a business destination. That is a big advantage, and we will focus even more on this. We already see a small growth in requests, but that still needs time,” he said.

Van der Veen does not expect the full economic impulse to disappear. He noted that Formula 1 is only one of many races held at the circuit. “Next year, for example, the electric racing class Formula E is coming. The circuit will continue to attract visitors,” he said.

Dino Plastiras, co-owner of the Greek restaurant Martha in the center of Zandvoort, described the circuit itself as “an attraction that draws tourists from everywhere to the village.”