Mideast World Cup visitors spend millions
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Middle East visitors to the FIFA World Cup in Brazil spent more than US $2.7 million, according to a report released by Visa.
The UAE ranked 30th in the list of global spenders at the World Cup with Saudi Arabia in 39th spot and Qatar 53rd.
The ‘Visa Everywhere Travel Report reported that Emirati travellers spent $1.15 million, while Saudi travellers racked up $607,000 and visitors from Qatar spent more than $317,000.
The report also noted that it was the smaller Brazilian cities that hosted group stage matches that saw the biggest increase in spend from international travellers.
Year-on-year spending saw an overall increase of 419% by travellers from the region, significantly beyond the global increase of 152%.
Ihab Ayoub, the general manager, (Mena) at Visa said international tourism was clearly “strong well beyond the cities of Rio de Janeiro and São Paulo”.
“But what has been significant for us has been the enthusiasm shown by visitors from the Middle East region despite not having a team competing,” he asserted.
“The fact that these games are bringing positive economic impact to regions of Brazil typically less visited by international travellers, is another sign of success for the tournament overall.”
The highest spending day of the tournament was June 25, when travellers spent $17.4 million.
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