In anticipation of increased ahead of 2010 FIFA World Cup, the success of three mega sporting events hosted in South Africa during the last 12 months has given the state tourism sector increased significantly. Despite the global decline, South Africa remains optimistic that it is on track to achieve the target 10 million visitors next year. 2010 FIFA World Cup will help increase the number of visitors from more than 9.5million in 2008 to over 10 million mark by the end of the year, according to tourism officials.

Visitors from regional markets to help the country recorded 5.5 percent increase in arrivals last year compared with the previous year. However, there are 2.5 percent decline in the number of foreign visitors in the second half of this year. Numbers fell from nearly half a million to 485,000 in the last six months of 2007 compared with the same period in 2008.

Three sporting events this year – Indian Premier League (IPL), the British Lions tour to South Africa and the Confederation Cup – has increased the number of arrival and will benefit South African industry during the time when the industry felt the squeeze of global economic turmoil continues.

South Africa confirmed its reputation as one of the world’s leading sports event destination in 2009.

Last-minute relocation of India because the Indian league national elections are quite a coup for the African nation, and success has silenced the critics who expressed concern over South Africa’s readiness to host events of this stature.

Tournament inject nearly R2-billion ($ 258 million) into the economy of South Africa with more than 40,000 hotel rooms and 10,000 domestic flights booked.

British and Irish Lions tour in June and July the contribution of R1 billion ($ 128 million) for the South African economy, with R250 million ($ 32.2 million) in foreign exchange directly.

2009 FIFA Confederations Cup in June also showed the readiness of South Africa and testing, the 2010 FIFA World Cup infrastructure.

Nearly 600,000 fans attended the two-week tournament that occurred in four of the nine 2010 FIFA World Cup Host City.

A life time opportunity

According to Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, the success of the Indian league, the Lions tour and the Confederation Cup, opening the potential for the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa to return to pre-recession high tourism.

He said construction-related R50billion World Cup will contribute to the economy, while tourism will generate more R15billion, with 3.5 million fans expected to attend the tournament.

Foreign entrants also will receive a huge boost to the 450,000 fans expected in the country next year.

He said: “The World Cup affords us once in a lifetime opportunity to show the best that we have as a tourist destination. Along with exposure to billions of television viewers, the 2010 provides unparalleled opportunities to increase brand awareness of SA as a major tourist destination.”

Lebohang Mokhesi, UK country manager for South African Tourism, said it had occurred “unprecedented demand” for tickets for the World Cup and predicted that many South Africans would choose to holiday at home this year.

Held alongside the FIFA World Cup 2010, South Africa will host World Expo Sports Goal (WSDE) – The first exhibition dedicated to the $ 600 billion a year sport tourism industry.

As well as a major opportunity for the business travel industry’s future with the major buyers of cement industry, WSDE will act as a platform for South Africa to create a lasting legacy and take advantage of worldwide exposure that the event would provide.

South Africa travel and tourism industry is expected to present a show of force in international exhibitions. Citing the success of FIFA World Cup 2006 in Germany’s tourism industry, positioned to produce WSDE years of follow-on tourists and give South Africa’s future tourism growth.