South Africa can expect anything between 250 000 and 400 000 visitors during the 30 day period of the 2010 Soccer World Cup. That is almost ten times more than the Rugby World Cup. What does this number mean for South Africa’s tourism industry? Well if one takes Gauteng, where Loftus Versfeld Stadium is located in Pretoria which can occupy 45 000 fans, and assuming 65 000 beds are occupied for at least a week at R1 000 a head, that adds up to R455 million spent in Gauteng alone, according to industry experts.
The impressive Green Point stadium in the Mother City Cape Town can accommodate up to 50 000 fans. Once again, let’s take 45 000 beds and assume visitors will stay four nights in the Western Cape at R1 000 per night, that adds up to a whopping R180 million.
It is clearly evident that the number of people coming to South Africa to watch the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup creates tremendous revenue for the tourism industry as well as for those providing accommodation. Soccer 2010 accommodation includes a wide variety of options from hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfasts and lodges to the letting of residential properties. A lot of home owners are letting their properties during the period of the Soccer World Cup. Not only does it create much needed extra accommodation for the thousands of visitors coming to South Africa, but serves as an additional income source for home owners. According to property gurus home owners can let their house for a minimum of double the amount it would normally receive. That means if the rental for your house is R8 000 monthly you could let it for R16 000 or R4 000 for a week.
Where to book accommodation
There are 10 stadiums located in nine cities in South Africa. Depending at which stadium/s you have tickets you can determine where to book accommodation. The nine cities are: Johannesburg (Soccer City Stadium and Ellis Park Stadium), Polokwane (Peter Mokaba Stadium), Rustenburg (Royal Bafokeng Stadium), Pretoria (Loftus Versfeld Stadium), Nelspruit (Mbombela Stadium), Durban (Moses Mabhida Stadium), Bloemfontein (Free State Stadium), Port Elizabeth (Nelson Mandela Stadium) and Cape Town (Green Point Stadium).
Types of Accommodation
• Hotels
• Guest houses
• Bed and breakfasts
• Cottages & Chalets
• Private Homes
• Self-catering
• Lodges
• Spas
• Holiday Suites
Second to the inauguration of Nelson Mandela, the FIFA Soccer World Cup 2010 will be the most historic event this country has ever seen! So come and enjoy the holiday of a lifetime and enjoy the beautiful country of South Africa. It is a beautiful country with diverse cultures and landscapes, good food and the most amazing weather. But most importantly loads of warm hospitality that will greet you upon arrival.
Enjoy the 2010 FIFA Soccer World Cup!
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