EUROPE: WORLD YOUTH DAY BRINGS OVER 160 MILLION TO SPANISH ECONOMY

It has been reported by Europa press that the president of the Chamber of Commerce of Madrid and the Madrid Business Confederation (CISM), Arturo Fernandez, estimated at 160 million benefits that have been the hotels, transport and trade in Madrid on the occasion of World Youth Day (WYD). Also millions of jobs were created for members of the society during the week.

Speaking to Europa Press TV, he also said that WYD has been "very successful" comparable to the holding of an "Olympiad" and insisted the economic impact of the Pope's visit in EUR 160 million for hotels and shops.

This, he said, data "positive" for Spain and Madrid. "We have 800 million viewers worldwide and have been in the spotlight of the whole universe. We have to congratulate the success they have been these days," he stressed, and thanked the Pope Benedict XVI his decision to chose Madrid as the venue for WYD 2011.

Fernandez stressed that two million have been pilgrims who visited the country, without having produced "not a single incident" from the Pope's arrival in Madrid.

"Young people have been wonderful, and they are the future of the world and this country. For once we were all together to make this a success and to our image in the world is the image that corresponds to Madrid and Spain "he ruled.

Through a statement, the Madrid-commerce businesses grouped in this group have expressed their "satisfaction with the image of the capital that has been conveyed to the world" and said that "the sectors that benefit most from the Pope's trip has were hotels and fast food establishments, bars and cafes. "

(image source: Europa press/with files from Europa press)