Lions boosts Australian economy

While the Wallabies may not have secured the right result on the pitch the recent British & Irish Lions tour delivered a significant windfall to Australia. [more]

Lions boosts Australian economy

While the Wallabies may not have secured the right result on the pitch the recent British & Irish Lions tour delivered a significant windfall to Australia.

More than 30,000 supporters jetted Down Under to watch the Lions claim a 2-1 Test series victory – their first since 1997.

And according to the Australian Bureau of Statistics the 125th anniversary tour generated an estimated Aus $150million (£88.2million) for the economy.

"The stand out is 64.6 percent growth in visitor numbers from the United Kingdom in June, thanks to the British and Irish Lions tour," said TTF chief executive Ken Morrison.

"An estimated 30-40,000 British and Irish supporters came to Australia for the tour, generating an estimated Aus$150 million for the Australian economy.

"This is a clear demonstration of the value of major events in supporting jobs and businesses in the visitor economy."

389,400 supporters passed through the turnstiles during the nine matches held in Australia and new record rugby attendances were recorded in all three Test match venues.

Warren Gatland’s men clinched the series with a thrilling 41-16 victory in front of 83,418 spectators at Sydney’s ANZ Stadium.

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