Football fever has reached new heights this World Cup season.

The four day opening period of the tournament, from June 12 to June 15, had seen international visitors spending more than $27 million (₹162 crore) on their Visa accounts, according to a release issued by Visa Inc.

The figure represents a 73 per cent increase in spends recorded over the same period in 2013, the report said. Travel data and cross-border spends on all Visa products, including, credit, debit and prepaid payment cards was analysed for the report.

Visitors from the US, followed by UK, France, and Mexico represent the bulk of the total tourist spends in Brazil during the four day period.

Boost to the economy On June 14, international travellers spent more than $10.7 million (₹64 crore) using Visa products. The company said that this was the highest tourist spends over one day in the country in 2014.

“These numbers reflect the significant impact that mega sporting events like the World Cup can have in boosting local commerce in host market economies,” noted Ruben Osta, Visa Inc’s Country Manager, Brazil.

He added that this trend is in alignment with Brazil’s expectation that more than 600,000 international travellers are slated to visit the country during the month-long event.

This would ultimately provide a boost to the country’s economy. Visitors spent the most on their boarding and lodging, and in local restaurants.

Travellers from ten countries made up 65 per cent of the total spend in Brazil, with four countries, Australia (+675 per cent), Colombia (+418 per cent), Mexico (+204 per cent) and UK (+101 per cent) showing triple digit increases compared to spends during the same four day period in 2013.

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