Lions boost SA economy

20 Nov 2009

The British & Irish Lions tour generated R1.47 billion to the South African economy.

The figure of R1.47 billion was drawn from direct and indirect value to the travel and tourism gross domestic product (GDP) of South Africa. A study commissioned by SA Rugby showed that the tour produced 8.95% of South Africa’s GDP, compared to 2008.

‘A Lions Tour ranks only behind the Rugby World Cup in terms of its scale and appeal,’ said Andy Marinos, acting MD of SA Rugby, in a statement. ‘Such a tour places significant demands on a rugby union and its member unions but also brings many benefits.

‘One of the most profound is the economic impact it has on the hosting nation. Preparing, hosting and moving around large numbers of rugby fans is a complex exercise but the most pleasing thing is that the large number of overseas visitors had an outstanding experience in South Africa.’

Two of the three Tests weren’t sell-outs and although Lions tour project manager Andre Homan expected before the tour that 50 000 visitors would stay for three weeks, only 37 000 British and Irish tourists entered the country. The survey was conducted among 812 overseas and South African rugby followers and found that supporters spent on average R44 622 during the series and stayed for an average of 16 days.

‘A Lions Tour is a win-win for all concerned,’ said Marinos. ‘The host nation’s economy benefits, the travelling supporters have an unforgettable experience to see the most keenly contested rugby there is and the tour is a financial success for the Lions, the host union and the provincial unions, sponsors and broadcasters.’



19 Comments

  • 1.PissAnt: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 12:23 pm

    Well we know it wasn’t through ticket sales…

  • 2.lion4ever: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 12:25 pm

    Wonderful news, and if only 37000 supporters boosted the economy like that, imagine what the soccer WC will do.

  • 3.klippies101: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 13:30 pm

    wow great news for sa

  • 4.race of tan: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 13:53 pm

    I thought the Lions series was brilliant. That Lions team was very very and that was the best centre combo i have ever seen, Jamie Roberts/Bod.

  • 5.Bouts: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 14:52 pm

    *sigh* And we could have had the Olympics and next RWC as well. Big loss for us. :(

  • 6.120kg: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 15:36 pm

    That was 1 event. Add to that the t20 at about the same time. Good time for tourism

  • 7.Amerifikaner: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 15:42 pm

    How long is Andy still going to be “acting” MD? and why don’t they appoint a person or Andy permanently.

  • 8.AndrewBK: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 16:23 pm

    #4 race of tan: just started watching rugby this year have we?

  • 9.sean123: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 17:22 pm

    South Africa’s GDP in 2008 was about 2100 billion Rand.

    R1.47 billion Rand is not 8% of GDP!!

    Pretty sloppy reporting not to pick up on such a gross misrepresentation.

    Interesting that this report was “commissioned by SA Rugby”.

    What a joke.

  • 10.gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 18:33 pm

    #9 sean123:

    8% of the tourism gdp…

  • 11.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 18:35 pm

    #9 sean123: Well done! Most journos absolutely suck at maths and economics. Here’s more evidence, in case any was needed.

  • 12.gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 18:50 pm

    #11 TheTackler:

    read the article again numbnuts…

  • 13.sean123: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 18:59 pm

    Please accept my humble apology.

  • 14.sean123: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 19:00 pm

    Hey, this article was emailed to me, and originally it stated “8.95% of South Africa’s GDP”

  • 15.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 21:59 pm

    i wonder what the fool tackler has to say now, ffs this guy is the julius malema of the blog.

  • 16.gunther: Reply to this comment
    20 Nov 2009, 22:09 pm

    #15 Transformation:

    the devil is in the details….the problem is that when tackler sees a chance to nail sa he gets such a hard on that all the blood flows from his big head to the little one…

  • 17.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    21 Nov 2009, 03:30 am

    “A study commissioned by SA Rugby showed that the tour produced 8.95% of South Africa’s GDP, compared to 2008.”

    Clear cut, isn’t it?

    There’s the claim. On this very thread.

    Is it true or false?

  • 18.TheTackler: Reply to this comment
    21 Nov 2009, 03:36 am

    And, even if it’s only 8.95% of only the “travel and tourism” component of the GDP figures, we all know that this is a complete thumb-suck. Every Mozambican, Basotho or Zimbabwean day-shopper or even the odd few million illegal fence-crawlers are counted as part of the “travel and tourism” budget.

    We all know that, don’t we?

  • 19.Transformation: Reply to this comment
    21 Nov 2009, 09:20 am

    #17 TheTackler: #18 TheTackler: tackler you’re what they refer in isiXhosa as umnqundu! you first read that it was a sample from the “travel & tourism gross domestic product (GDP)” then when the next line refers to the acronym GDP you suddenly think it means something else. Good thing you left this country we don’t need k@k like you here!

Keo.co.za has always promoted uncensored views, but has never tolerated racist or crass outbursts. Come on guys and girls. If you can't moderate yourselves or each other then I am going to be forced to regulate the posts and enforce a registration process for comments. The choice is yours.

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