United Kingdom accounts for biggest spend at the World Cup

(AFP PHOTO / JAVIER SORIANO)

According to data from VISA, British tourists in South Africa have so far been the biggest spenders during the FIFA World Cup 2010.

Fifty-one percent of the $128 million total tourist spend between June 1 and June 20 was made by visitors from the UK, the USA, Australia, France and Brazil. Most of that went on accommodation, restaurants, retail, and transport.

VISA had tracked $83 million worth of consumer transactions during the same period in 2009, meaning that this year's tally is up by more than half, while card purchases in South Africa since the World Cup, which started on June 11, have increased by over 80 percent.

Being a top-tier FIFA Partner has meant that VISA has been able to process all card payments for goods and services at FIFA outlets.