VISA report says that Barmy Army boosts Australia’s economy
A report to be released today by VISA International at the Australian Tourism Export Council 2007 symposium on the Gold Coast, says that England’s Barmy Army has served a purpose other than bolstering their national cricket team’s spirits, in boosting Australia’s economy during the recent Ashes series.
A spending analysis of VISA credit cards indicated the series coincided with a 18% increase in spending in Australia by VISA cardholders from England between November 2006 and January 2007 and comparing the period of the Ashes series against the same period the year before, spending by UK-issued VISA cards in Australia rose to $A551 million, according to the VISA report.
VISA International Regional Executive VP Bruce Mansfield said the result was a great tribute to event organisers and the tourism industry, adding, “The data once again confirms that Australia has its act together when it comes to major events,” and “Not only did we have a great result in the actual Tests but we also had an excellent result for the tourism industry and country as a whole.” “It appears that the Ashes organisers and the tourism industry ensured that the army went barmy and all of Australia benefited.”
Report by The Mole
John Alwyn-Jones
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