And as London reveals its Avatar show has coined in £1.4bn for the economy it’s true that the winner takes it all with ABBA’s global tourism.
It has, of course, been quite the Voyage for super Swedes Benny, Bjorn, Agnetha and Anni-Frid.
And it should not be forgotten it was Great Brighton where ABBA got their big break with their Eurovision win 50 years ago.
ABBA superfans following the 3m who have taken in Voyage in London should also visit other touchpoints in England.
The Brighton Dome, Birmingham Odeon, where they played their first British gig and the Royal Albert Hall where they sold out two shows in 1977.
And we’ll even forgive Agnetha for dissing my hometown.
When she opined: ‘I was sick and tired of everything when I called you last night from Glasgow’.
ABBAnatics everywhere
ABBA remain at heart a Swedish band but in much the same way as The Beatles and Elvis they belong to the world.
And we can celebrate them from Waterloo in Belgium through Greek and Croatian islands to ABBA-crazy Australia and beyond.
ABBA, of course, have been the gift that keeps on giving across our life.
With the Mamma Mia film franchise introducing the band to a whole new generation.
Isle be bound for Greece and Croatia
And ABBAnatics make a pilgrimage to Skopelos.
And get selfies at Agios Ioannis Sto Kastri, the little church on a rock, where the movie’s wedding scene was filmed.
While my, my, how could they resist the charms of the Croatian islands for the follow-up Here We Go Again.
With Vis , a 35-mile drop in the Adriatic with a population of just 3,600, who all know the dance moves by heart now.
And we’re advised to get the pebbles between our painted toes (you know you do) on award-winning Stiniva beach.
Thank you for the Aussies
ABBA, of course, have an almost Beatles-like devotion in Australia where they toured early in their career.
And where their TV special was watched by more people than the Moon Landing.
Little wonder then that their 1977 tour was immortalised in Adelaide, Sydney, Melbourne, and Perth.
With, of course, the Fun Four more than obliging for the de rigueur kangaroo shots.
So as Britain shows the way on how to cash in on ABBA’s global reach.
It’s worth remembering that there’s money, money, money for all of us, even beyond their Swedish base .
And the Abba Museum, Stockholm and their Swedish haunts.
Because the winner takes it all with ABBA’s global tourism.
