$23m boost from Asian Cup, say Tourism Oz

January’s AFC Asian Cup is set to inject up to $23 million into the economy from thousands of tourists as a new advertising campaign is set to launch in key Asian markets.

According to a report in the Gold Coast Bulletin, PricewaterhouseCoopers have estimated the Asian Cup’s economic impact will reach as high as $23m.

“The Asian Cup is the biggest football tournament Australia has ever hosted,” Tourism Australia (TA) managing director John O’Sullivan said.

It’s expected that 30,000 visitors from overseas will attend the tournament, especially from China, Japan and Korea.

In an effort to encourage overseas visitors to come for the tournament, TA have organized a new advertising campaign in key Asian markets.

“These are international visitors who stay longer, travel further and spend more,” O’Sullivan said.

“These fans will inject millions of dollars into our visitor economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and our tourism attractions.”

Asian Cup

The Socceroos will be looking to win their first AFC Asian Cup when Asia’s biggest football tournament heads to Australia in January 2015.

32 matches over 23 days will be played in Sydney, Melbourne, Brisbane, Canberra and Newcastle with the Socceroos kicking off the tournament against Kuwait in Melbourne on January 9.

Socceroos tickets start from $49 for adults and $24.50 for children.

All other group matches start from just $15 for adults and $5 for children.