Brazil 2014: 108,000 foreign tourists descend on Cuiaba; local economy gets €100m boost

108,000 foreign tourists visited Cuiaba, the capital of the Brazilian state of Mato Grosso, to watch the four group stage matches of the World Cup organised in Arena Pantanal (capacity 41,112), the Brazilian government said on 07/07/2014.

The stadiums welcomed a total of 158,000 spectators over the four matches and 202,000 people attended the Fan Fest in Acrimat Exhibit Park, for a total of 360,000 people at the events of 12/06 to 24/06/2014. The fan fest will remain open to the public through the end of the competition on 13/07/2014.

The secretariat of tourism of Cuiaba believes that the impact of the World Cup on the local economy has been greater than the 331m reais (€103m) predicted by the Brazilian tourism ministry. Hotels in Cuiaba, which offer a total of 21,000 beds, were all full during the group stage, and some bars and restaurants had up to a 200% increase in turnover. Sales increased by 40% in city stores.

€188m spent to build Arena Pantanal

• The cost is…