14 July 2009

Latest World Cup ticket sales revealed

Sixty thousand tickets for next year’s World Cup in South Africa have already been sold.

And the country expects up to half a million visitors during the tournament next summer.

The figures emerged from a meeting in London between UK operators and South Africa tourism minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk.

He also pledged to expand more affordable airline access to the country as part of a range of measures to boost international tourism.

On the 2010 FIFA World Cup, the minister said: "Although South Africa already has a world class physical infrastructure, this will be taken to new heights in the next 12 months as the country prepares to host the first ever African World Cup.

"Not only the biggest sporting spectacular in the world, this event sees South Africa witnessing a huge public sector investment and a massive new investment by the tourism industry itself.

"There has been unprecedented and encouraging demand for 2010 FIFA World Cup tickets - 60,000 tickets have already been sold to date and we anticipate somewhere in the region of 450,000 visitors to our continent from around the world."

The event also focused on how tourism can benefit from the stimulus measures that drive economic recovery.

van Schalkwyk said, "Learning from the experiences of the current financial meltdown, South African Tourism is strategically planning to build greater resilience against future external economic shocks, by building on the solid foundations of a strong domestic and pan-African tourism market, the South African government’s stringent quality control regime that ensures value for money, and the unique selling points of the country’s natural heritage.

"Further attention will be given to improved market analysis, product diversification, skills development, and maintaining and expanding affordable and more competitive air access, to ensure a sound long term policy that looks to boost visitor figures from domestic, regional and long haul markets."

The lunch at the South African High Commission in London was attended by representatives from Somak Holidays, Wexas, Africa Travel Centre, STA Travel and Flight Centre.

by Phil Davies

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World Cup yes but....

Having just returned from SA watching the Lions, many people in our party were the subject of "light fingered" antics. No nothing salubrious, we all had something taken or stolen from our rooms during the tour including money, cameras, mobile phones, batteries and even clothing. If people travel to SA they must take care to ensure they keep all valuables locked in the room safe and if possible all other personal items locked in cases etc. No one had their room broken into, so it's almost an organised crime and we stayed in 4* hotels ! Clearly we are tourists and appear to become targets once in SA. What would the minister say about people's personal safety and their possessions? People will only travel if they feel safe in the knowledge they are not going to be robbed whilst on tour!

By Neil Hopwood, Tuesday, July 14, 2009