Rugby World Cup will generate R20bn for UK

Cape Town – The Rugby World Cup will generate nearly £1bn (R20.18bn) for UK’s transport and tourism industry, according to a travel search group.

As the UK prepares to host 20 teams, over 440 000 international visitors and more than 2 200 000 Brits in 11 cities, the impact on the local economies will be huge, said GoEuro, whose research showed that it would be the biggest generator of tourism since the 2012 London Olympics.

The UK will host the rugby championships from 18 September to 31 October.

London will be the biggest winner over all, with 17 matches earning the city £197m (about R4bn).

Transportation bosses will be get £15.42m (over R300m) extra income as spectators descend on the capital, the research showed.

The 11 host cities will generate between £3.5m (over R71m) and £197m (almost R4bn) in terms of money spent on inner-city transport, accommodation, food and beverages, according to the number of expected visiting spectators and the number of games being hosted.

For the tourism industry as a whole, the cup is expected to generate a whopping £957m (R19.3bn).

PHOTO: Twickenham stadium in London, where the Rugby World Cup will take place. (Photo: AFP)