Belfast could net a stg£30m (€44.5m) windfall if a bid to host a world police sports event in 2013 succeeds, the SDLP said today.
Up to 100,000 visitors and competitors would descend upon the city if Northern Ireland fend off Austrian rival Innsbruck.
SDLP Lord Mayor Pat McCarthy said: "With 12-15,000 participants this is an opportunity for Belfast to be showcased around the world.
"This could be a huge boost for the city with the restaurants and hotels doing a turn out of it."
The winner will be chosen on March 15th in Adelaide, Australia, and a delegation of Belfast councillors and officials will attend.
Sinn Féin do not oppose the campaign for the World Police and Firefighters' Games, which would attract citizens of 65 countries.
At the party's special ard fheis last month republicans voted to support the PSNI if power-sharing is established.
Mr McCarthy had accused them of not fully supporting the Games venture.
"I am calling on all political parties to give their backing to our bid and to work proactively to help us achieve that," he said.
If the city succeeds it could underpin its bid to construct a multi-sports stadium at Ormeau Park.
The British government is considering building a national multi-sports stadium on the site of the old Maze prison near Lisburn.
Rugby, football and GAA fixtures will be played and a hotel and entertainment complex is planned.
However, Belfast City Council has backed the Ormeau site because it believes it will attract more people and boost the city's economy.