Economist Yeah Kim Leng and tourism management expert Hafiz Hanafiah said spending by foreign visitors are key to boosting economic gains from the F1 event for Malaysia. (EPA Images pic)PETALING JAYA: There must be an in-depth study to determine how the recent F1 Bahrain Grand Prix in Sepang generated RM950 million in economic activity before Putrajaya makes it a regular event, experts say.
Yeah Kim Leng.Sunway University economist Yeah Kim Leng said Malaysia must first determine how much of the money spent during the Oct 2-4 race weekend came from foreign visitors who travelled specifically to attend the F1 race.
He pointed out that part of the economic contribution would have come from Malaysians who would otherwise have spent their money elsewhere, whether on holidays or other leisure activities.
