Germany's show of strength on home turf, winning the championship and bringing this year's UEFA Europa League extravaganza to the stage, is not only a huge boost to the sporting event, but also a shot in the arm for the country's economy. The German Retailers Association boldly predicts that the tournament will inject an additional €3.8 billion (HK$31.8 billion) of retail dynamism into Germany.
Looking back at last year, Germany's GDP only edged down 0.3%, the bottom performer among the world's major economies. The government is counting on the European Nations Cup to stimulate spending and boost the economy. Last month, a survey by the German Retailers Association showed that most people are willing to invest between 101 and 200 euros for the tournament, with food and drinks being the most popular, followed closely by sports equipment and electronic goods.
It is worth mentioning that this year's Euro Cup is scattered in 10 cities, totaling 2.7 million tickets, and is expected to attract thousands of tourists flocking to Germany. Authorities predict that tourism revenue will hit a new high, contributing significantly to the German economy.
