Canadian Visa cardholders were the seventh top spenders in South Africa during the 2010 World Cup, according to data from Visa Inc.
Canadians spent US$8.8 million on their credit cards during the month-long event, increasing Canadian spending in South Africa by 68% compared with total spending in the same period in 2009.
Americans and British visitors spent the most, contributing more than US$59.4 million each to the South African economy during the World Cup, followed by Australians (US$14.8 million), Brazilians (US$13.4 million), French visitors (US$10.8 million) and Germans (US$9.2 million).
In total, international visitors spent US$312 million during the World Cup. About US$54.1 million was spent in the week before the opening ceremony, US$122.1 million during the group competition phase and US$136.3 million during the finals.
More than 90% was spent on typical leisure and business travel expenses including accommodation, restaurants, retail, auto rentals and air travel.
The amount spent during the World Cup was 170% more than the total spend of US$115.3 million during the Vancouver 2010 Winter Olympic and Paralympic Games.