Tourism in South Africa is Just a Big Game

Winning the right to host the FIFA World Cup is always big news in a country’s sporting calendar and in South Africa the news that Cape Town has won that right for 2010 has the tourism industry champing at the bit.

At Indaba, the country’s largest tourism trade show which is running last week in Durban, the focus is clearly on maximising the opportunities which will present themselves as a result of hosting the FIFA 2010 World Cup – in Cape Town and the rest of the country.

Speaking to a gathering of international buyers, Cape Town Deputy Mayor, Grant Haskin was clear of his mission.

“We want Cape Town to be foremost in the minds of tourists, tour operators and the travel media, before, during and after 2010” he said.

Cape Town is in full swing renovating it’s streets, erecting state-of-the-art stadiums, refurbing hotels and generally gearing up for one the world’s highest profile sporting events.

The senior government ministers and event directors are keen to bust the myths that surround South Africa’s readiness for the big game.

Local and international media have been less than kind in reporting on South Africa’s preparations for the World Cup, citing security concerns, unconfirmed facility completion dates, potential power outages and a lack of accommodation as possible show stoppers. Some reports even suggested a clandestine Plan B that has Australia on standby, ready to play host should Cape Town not rise to the occasion. 

(Similar articles appeared in Australia when Athens was accused of dragging the chain in preparations for their Olympics and Sydney was on an apparent high alert to jump in at the last minute.)

Danny Jordaan. Head of the FIFA Organising Committee in Cape Town, has heard it all before.”There is no such thing as a Plan B” he said in defence of the well documented and negotiated contract the city holds with FIFA.

In response to apparent security concerns he added “The right to host the series presents any city with huge challenges. And we have put in place extensive security measures which allow guests to our country to enjoy an incident free visit. We have hosted many major events before and have not had incidents.”

And with an expected $USD3.2 billion economic impact for South Africa stake, combined with the stringent requirements as determined by FIFA, one can only assume that at every official level, all contingencies will be covered to ensure another successful event.

It is estimated that 450,000 visitors will descend on Cape Town for the four week period of the World Cup in 2010, creating an additional 80,000 employment opportunities in the already booming tourism industry of South Africa and neighbouring countries. Continuing growth and heightened awareness of South Africa’s tourism offer is expected to secure the longevity and security of those jobs.

The tourism industry is bracing itself with an excited expectation of substantial increase in trade as soccer fans who would probably not have considered South Africa as vacation destination augment their travel arrangements with pre or post tours in game reserves around the country.

Cape Town and the tourism industry throughout the country are getting ready, more than willing and confidently able to host the 2100 FIFA World Cup.

An on location report for TravelMole by Kevin Moloney from South Africa at Indaba.