Hawkk
16th November 2006, 13:33
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,10117,20767019-2,00.html
Ashes promises $200m windfall
VISITING English cricket fans are expected to pump more than $200 million into the national economy when they descend on Australia for this year's Ashes series.
Cricket Australia has estimated about 45,000 fans will visit the country during the series, which starts with the first Test at the Gabba next Thursday.
Many, including some from the Barmy Army, have already arrived and are steadily gearing up for their summer holiday of sport and sunshine.
"The great thing is that we go into the first Test with the Ashes, and I think we should have a minimum of 7000 and as much as 10,000 in the Gabba," said the Barmy Army's Paul Burnham.
Managing director of the Tourism and Transport Forum, Christopher Brown, said the Ashes would contribute significantly to the Australian economy, and create tourism employment opportunities across the country.
"Major event attendees typically spend more and stay longer than the average tourist in Australia because they are often on big spending corporate hospitality packages," he said.
Mr Brown said the Rugby World Cup in 2003 generated $289 million in additional gross domestic product to the Australian economy and created an additional 4500 jobs.
Tourism Australia chairman Tim Fischer said tour operators hoped the England fans will extend their stay this summer.
"Most of these cricket fans are here for the series and even if they're on a backpacker's budget they still spend a lot of money,' he said.
"They spend their money on wine, women and song, as well as cricket tickets."
And Cricket Australia are striving to reduce the number of people coming over :rolleyes:
Ashes promises $200m windfall
VISITING English cricket fans are expected to pump more than $200 million into the national economy when they descend on Australia for this year's Ashes series.
Cricket Australia has estimated about 45,000 fans will visit the country during the series, which starts with the first Test at the Gabba next Thursday.
Many, including some from the Barmy Army, have already arrived and are steadily gearing up for their summer holiday of sport and sunshine.
"The great thing is that we go into the first Test with the Ashes, and I think we should have a minimum of 7000 and as much as 10,000 in the Gabba," said the Barmy Army's Paul Burnham.
Managing director of the Tourism and Transport Forum, Christopher Brown, said the Ashes would contribute significantly to the Australian economy, and create tourism employment opportunities across the country.
"Major event attendees typically spend more and stay longer than the average tourist in Australia because they are often on big spending corporate hospitality packages," he said.
Mr Brown said the Rugby World Cup in 2003 generated $289 million in additional gross domestic product to the Australian economy and created an additional 4500 jobs.
Tourism Australia chairman Tim Fischer said tour operators hoped the England fans will extend their stay this summer.
"Most of these cricket fans are here for the series and even if they're on a backpacker's budget they still spend a lot of money,' he said.
"They spend their money on wine, women and song, as well as cricket tickets."
And Cricket Australia are striving to reduce the number of people coming over :rolleyes: