World Cup tourism to defy crisis

Cape Town - There is no reason to cut back the number of foreigners expected to visit South Africa for the 2010 World Cup soccer tournament. According to Minister of Tourism Marthinus van Schalkwyk it can still be assumed that some 450 000 visitors will stream into the country for the event.

"South Africa has fared better in the current global economic downturn, in respect of foreign visitors, than our direct competitors," he said.

Van Schalkwyk will shortly meet representatives of Fifa's hospitality agency, Match, and will be in a position to make an announcement shortly afterwards. He has not, however, offered details.

"The 2010 soccer tournament is a wonderful opportunity, but I too often encounter players in the tourism industry who look on it as being the alpha and omega that will solve all our problems," he warned.

He considers it important that infrastructure, such as the stadiums being erected for 2010, be harnessed after the tournament to support bids for more major international events.

"We must avoid landing in the same boat as Korea." Some of that country's World Cup infrastructure has since had to be dismantled as it was falling into disuse.

Get commercial property news by email

Free alerts when we publish — pick a focus or get everything, unsubscribe in one click. Subscribe »