The South African economy has seen an initial boost in visitor spending related to the ongoing 2010 FIFA World Cup (June 11-July11, 2010), according to new cardholder spending data from Visa. During the period leading to the kick start of the FIFA World Cup and the first week of tournament matches (June 1-20, 2010), spending by international visitors in South Africa on Visa-branded payment cards exceeded USD 128 million (R974 million), up 54 per cent from USD 83 million (R629 million) during the same period in 2009.

Visa is one of six global FIFA partners with exclusive global category rights through 2014, and is the exclusive card for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. In recognition of Visa’s sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa, Visa credit, debit and prepaid cards are the only payment cards accepted, along with cash, at all FIFA stadiums and the Onsite Stadium Merchandise Booths.

The number of transactions from June 1-20, 2010 was 900,000 (45,000 per day on average), up 60 per cent from nearly 600,000 (30,000 a day on average) during the same 20 days in 2009.

The money spent by international visitors on their Visa credit, debit and prepaid cards on the first ten days of the FIFA World Cup (June 11-20, 2010) alone showed an increase of 81 per cent over the same period in 2009.

Visa spending data indicates that the United Kingdom, followed by the United States, Australia, France and Brazil have been the strongest contributors to tourism spending to date. These five countries alone accounted for 51 per cent of spending. Over 90 per cent of spending was in leisure and business travel categories - accommodation, restaurants, retail, auto rental and air travel.

Michael Lynch, Global Head of Sponsorship Management, Visa Inc said, “The international visitors are spending with their Visa cards right across 1, 20,000 merchants that accept Visa in South Africa. The sponsorship of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa is working extremely well for Visa with promotional activities occurring in close to 100 countries, involving 500 financial institutions and merchants. We also have approximately 4,000 competition prize winners coming to South Africa for the tournament and the first waves of those have had a great experience.”

According to the 2010 South Africa Tourism Outlook report recently released by Visa, international travellers using their Visa payment cards spent over USD 1.79 billion while visiting South Africa during 2009 and USD 566 million during Quarter One of 2010.