Barcelona also hosted the World Championships in 2003, which helped to generate interest and greater participation in aquatics in Spain, with more than 1,500 synchronised swimmers in the country today, compared to 200 ten years ago.

Vallès added that she also expects more than 80,000 bookings for hotels in Barcelona during the event, which is due to run from July 19 to August 4.

"Hosting an event of this magnitude almost always comes with economic benefits for the city," she said.

"It is estimated that the economic benefit will be €5.5 (£4.4/$7) for every euro spent.

"There are many benefits that can be generated by hosting the World Championships, although some of the positive results may not be discovered immediately.

"The 2003 World Championships serve as a good example in this case.

"Organising the World Championships will serve to increase the awareness of different sports.

"If the Spanish athletes achieve great results, it will increase the number of people practising the sport, the same as in the case of synchronised swimming in 2003."

Barcelona 2013 will be at the World Aquatics Convention in Moscow at the end of October, discussing its preparations for the event and the benefits of staging the World Championships for host cities.

Barcelona's economic, cultural and health transformation following the 1992 Olympics and Paralympics was so impressive that it has since been used as a "template for success" for organising committees looking to secure a strong and lasting legacy

Barcelona is used to putting on major sports events, having hosted the greatest show on earth – the Olympic and Paralympic Games – in 1992.

Those Games are often cited as one of the best examples of the positive developmental impact an Olympics and Paralympics can have on a host city.

And next year's event will be useful not just for Barcelona to showcase its hosting skills, but also for Spain, which is hoping to win the right to bring the Olympics and Paralympics to Madrid for the first time in 2020.

Madrid is battling with Tokyo and Istanbul for the right to host the 2020 Games, with the decision set to be made by the International Olympic Committee (IOC) a month after the World Aquatics Championships.

Barcelona 2013 will be using the same four venues that staged the 2003 FINA event and the swimming at the 1992 Olympics and Paralympics, situated within the city's Olympic ring.

"Barcelona is a city that believes in sport," Vallès added.

"Hosting the World Championships is a great opportunity for Barcelona to become the world's centre of attention for over two weeks.

"Also, Barcelona will become the capital of 'Planet Water' for a few days.

"This generates a significant economic and social impact and is an opportunity not to be missed."

A total of 2,500 athletes from 180 countries are expected to participate in the event next year.

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