The Asian Football Confederation Asian Cup is "set to deliver a boost to the economy" of A$1M ($810,00) a day over three weeks, according to Luke Malpass of the AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW. The multi-city tournament kicks off on Friday when Australia plays Kuwait in Melbourne. Tourism Australia said that the 23-day event could add A$23M to
gross domestic product, "and anticipates a 15 per cent jump in tourist
numbers in the months immediately following the tournament." Tourism Australia Managing Dir John O'Sullivan said that the cup
"would boost international and domestic tourism numbers, as well as
showcase Australia to a potential television audience of 2.5 billion
viewers." More than 500,000 spectators are expected to attend matches, "including around 30,000 fans from overseas." O'Sullivan: "Fans will inject millions of dollars into our visitor economy, benefiting hotels, restaurants, bars, shops and our tourism attractions." Asian Cup Local Organizing Committee CEO Michael Brown, "who has previously worked for Cricket Australia" and Australian Football League club Hawthorn, estimates the tournament will generate A$240M in spending. He estimated ticket sales at A$20M. Brown said, "It's all very well to invite these people but you've got to make it easier to come, particularly for the Chinese. We're really excited, ticket sales are ahead of budget" (AUSTRALIAN FINANCIAL REVIEW, 1/5).
ROGUE SITE INFLATES PRICES: In Sydney, Lee Gaskin reported Asian Cup organizers have warned people from "buying game tickets from
unofficial sellers who are inflating prices" by as much as 700%. The
website www.viagogo.com.au is advertising tickets to Saturday's opening
group game at Canberra Stadium between South Korea and Oman, with prices ranging from A$68.90 in the upper tier through to A$117.14 in the lower tier. Ticket
prices for group games through the official Asian Cup website and from
Ticketek range from A$15 for category three to A$30 for category one. A spokesperson from the Asian Cup LOC said, "People who buy tickets from other sites do so at their own risk" (SYDNEY MORNING HERALD, 1/5).
