Most residents believe the America’s Cup will help tourism, job growth and the economy, a poll by Global Research showed last night.

The survey group phoned 403 registered voters between June 5 and June 11 for computer-assisted interviews, weighing results to be representative by age, race and gender.

While 81 per cent favoured the Island’s prospects with the Cup — a nine per cent increase from March — 74 per cent also felt it would help small businesses and entrepreneurs.

Overall, six per cent responded that the 2017 event would have a negative impact on Bermuda. Just under half rated it positive, with an extra 32 per cent calling it “very positive”.

Global Research head Nosheen Syed said that with Oracle Team USA and the America’s Cup Event Authority now set up in Bermuda, plus Artemis Racing’s plans for a permanent base and Ben Ainslie Racing occasionally on Island, residents were “clearly either experiencing or hearing about the positive economic impacts”.

“It will be interesting to see if these figures rise in our next polls especially with the Louis Vuitton America’s Cup World Series Bermuda taking place in October 2015.”