FIFA 2010 WORLD CUP SOUTH AFRICA

LET THE GAME BEGIN

The excitement about the 2010 FIFA World Cup is contagious. The thrill of welcoming the world to its destination, the blast of thousands of vuvuzelas; the gearing up of the hospitality industry; the w-o-n-d-e-r-f-u-l time South Africa, the industry and the world will have come 2010 is really encouraging.

South Africa’s preparations to host the world in 2010 actually started with the FIFA Confederations Cup 2009.

With an array of facilities already completed, South Africa has proven to all that it has the infrastructural capability to host an event of the magnitude of the FIFA World Cup along with excellent accommodation and facilities.

Already, more than nine million yearly visitors are profiting from the upgraded airports across the country. Expansion of the inner and inter-city transportation system are well underway in preparation for the Copa Mundial.

It is estimated that the World Cup will contribute about R50 billion to the economy from construction investment alone. A further estimated R15.6 billion will be generated by tourism.

According to SATSA, hotel developments and resorts with an estimated total investment of R20 billion, are being planned across the country in the run-up to 2010. This creates jobs and imparts skills to a host of sectors.

£4,07253 billion was invested in the construction of five new venues (Mbombela, Peter Mokaba, Nelson Mandela Bay, Durban and Cape Town). A further investment of £1,44513 billion went into the upgrading of five venues (Soccer City, Ellis Park, Loftus Versfeld, Free State and Royal Bafokeng). All of these venues were completed on time in readiness for the Confederations Cup, which stood as the dress rehearsal for the 2010 World Cup.

Fan parks are being set up in each host city to provide visitors with a truly South African experience where SA entertainment and cuisine will be provided.

The industry (through MATCH and the Tourism Grading Council) is on track to deliver 10,000 national non-hotel star graded rooms for 2010. In total 55,000 graded rooms will be provided across the country. All rooms are star graded through the Tourism Grading Council of South Africa in line with international grading standards. This will be the first time non-hotel rooms will be used by FIFA for a World Cup. This to help build sustainability in an emerging industry and to empower SMMEs (such as B&B establishments etc.). FIFA has reintroduced officially authorised tour operators for 2010.

South African Tourism is taking a bold global step forward with significant investment in global media deals that include advertising, online marketing, editorial endorsement and targeted promotional campaigns to entrench excellent growth and differentiate South Africa from competitor destinations

FIFA and the LOC are committed to ensuring that genuine football fans have access to tickets to match venues. Ticket sales for the 2010 FIFA World Cup via www.fifa.com began in February and will remain on sale up until a few hours before the final on July 11, 2010.

Organizers have set up a Ticket Fund consisting of 120,000 tickets across all 64 matches that will be allocated to individual members of the South African general public that would not otherwise be in a position to purchase a ticket. The tour operator’s program is run for FIFA through match. More information on the logistics of the program may be found on the match website: touroperator.match-ag.com

Infrastructural Development:

1. # ACSA (Airports Company of South Africa) has injected R313,539 million into extensions and refurbishments at the country’s three main airports: OR Tambo International Airport, Cape Town International Airport and Durban International Airport. Due to be completed by 2010.
2. # A new R82, 83619 million airport, the King Shaka International Airport, is being built at La Mercy north of Durban. Construction to be completed ahead of 2010
3. # Work started in late 2006 on the Gautrain, a R1,566.15 million rapid rail commuter link between Johannesburg, Pretoria and the O.R Tambo (Johannesburg) International Airport. More than half (8kms) of the 15 km tunnel has been excavated and Gautrain is well on track to be completed by 2010

Airlift:

1. # An airlift strategy which sets out to achieve an increase in air traffic frequencies ahead of demand was approved by Cabinet in July 2006.
2. # The strategy allows for greater market access to support growth and competition in the air services industry.
3. # Air traffic frequencies form the basis of various air services agreements, which South Africa has in place with other countries.
4. # Since the beginning of the year South Africa has signed BASA agreements that would see a significant capacity increase into South Africa with 19 countries, covering Europe, Africa, Asia, South America and Middle East.
5. # Current UK capacity is 42 flights per week.
6. # Signed Bilateral Air Service Agreement (BASA) both the SA and UK government signed a BASA agreement that would see the following capacity increase: 2008 = 56 flights per week; 2009 = 63 flights per week; 2010 = 70 flights per week