A study by national tourism agency VisitBritain found that almost 11% of foreign visitors to the U.K.'s northwest "attend a live football match during their stay," compared with 2% for London, according to Andrew Ward of the FINANCIAL TIMES. This provides a "significant economic boost," given that average spending by a tourist whose visit includes a football match is £855 ($1,214) and £628 ($892) for one whose trip does not. Like many visitors, retired Singaporean policeman Muhammad Reni’s family made its journey to Old Trafford from a base in London. Other stops on their itinerary "were Oxford and the Harry Potter studio tour in Hertfordshire." Without the appeal of ManU, "it is doubtful they would have ventured out of the south." Research by the New Economy think-tank estimated the total value added to the regional economy by the ManU brand during former Manager Alex Ferguson’s 26 years in charge at over £1B ($1.42B). Property agency Colliers Int'l's Manchester-based Dir Michael Hawkins "believes the benefits go beyond tourism." He said that ManU and local rivals Man City and Liverpool "act as global ambassadors for the region." Hawkins: "The leading north-west clubs exert a magnetic emotional and financial pull by attracting a worldwide fan base." He added that they are also "playing their part in promoting an area of the U.K. to overseas investors" (FT, 4/15).
