Moose Jaw's tourism industry is set to receive a major boost.

Thursday morning's announcement that the Saskatchewan Special Olympics Summer Games would come to the “Friendly City” June 16-18 was not only great news for local Special Olympics athletes and their families, it's great news for local businesses.

“There are going to be over 300 (athletes),” said Moose Jaw mayor Fraser Tolmie, who is also Chair of Moose Jaw's Special Olympics board. “You think about the families that will come..it could be over a thousand people that will come for a weekend.”

That will mean local hotels, restaurants, gas stations and shops will see increased traffic.

“Various figures put it at $180 per person per night spent here,” explained David Wood. In addition to being General Manager of Temple Gardens Mineral Spa, Wood is Chair of the Visit Moose Jaw group.

Visit Moose Jaw is comprised of six local hotels and facilities that each charge a Destination Marketing Fee, on average about 1% of the total usage fee.

That money is then used to help attract major events, like the Summer Games, to the city.

“As athlete sponsors, we contributed five thousand dollars, which I think is a small price to pay to support an event like this,” said Wood. “It's very much an investment.”