S Africa plays up World Cup hopes

 

 

Hosting the 2010 World Cup will help South Africa reach a target of attracting 10 million visitors a year.

South Africa Tourism expects 450,000 additional visitors to the country as a result of the football tournament next summer.

SAT chief marketing officer Roshene Singh, speaking at World Travel Market, said 50,000 tickets had been sold for the tournament from the UK and 85,000 from the US.

All but one of the ten stadiums set to stage matches are complete and a range of infrastructure improvements are on course.

Singh said the country had used four major sporting events tis year, such as the British Lions rugby tour and Confederations Cup football tournament, as rehersals for staging the World Cup in June and July 2010.

There had been very little problems with security at these and 140 other events held in South Africa, she said.

But security measures are being stepped up for the World Cup with an additional 41,000 police on the beat.

"This will help ensure the fans are kept safe," said Singh.

To help supporters move around the country, 1,000 coaches are being laid on together with 200 aircraft. New rapid transport systems and trains will also be operating to help move supporters to and from stadiums.

Singh predicted that hosting the World Cup will boost future tourism to South Africa due to the number of new hotels and attractions being built in addition to infrastructure improvements.

*See interview with World Cup Ambassador and former Leeds United star Lucas Radebe on TravelMole.TV.