South African Tourism Emerges Ultimate Winner From FIFA World Cup

By spending 51 percent of the $128 million total tourist spending in South Africa, British tourists have become the biggest spenders during the ongoing FIFA World Cup 2010.

According to consumer transactions tracked during the period, the VISA company found that between June 1 and 20, visitors from the U.K., the U.S., Australia, France and Brazil spent most of their money on accommodation, restaurants, retail and transport. The figure is up by more than half of last year?s consumer transactions during the same period, which was $83 million. In addition, card purchases in South Africa since the World Cup began on June 11 have jumped 80 percent.

With both England and the U.S. set to play in the second round of the tournament, South Africa is all set to cash in as more visitors from these countries are likely to pour in to cheer their teams and the present ones are sure to extend their stay in South Africa.

Meanwhile, the South African Department of Home Affairs announced that as many as 682,507 tourists came to the country for the World Cup. According to the Minister of Home Affairs, Nkosazana Dlamini-Zuma, more than 1.7 million people were recorded moving in and out of the country, out of which 916,097 were arrivals.

Even the South African Tourism Chief Executive, Thandiwe January-McLean, has said that the football tournament has done well for South African tourism, promoting the country on the world map like never before. He said, ?At any one time, more than 400 million people are watching the game. The exposure has been great for us. The World Cup helped us do away with stereotypes about the country.? The department has been receiving feedback from the tourists and most of it is positive, say the officials.

The general sentiment throughout the country as well as in the corridors of government is that after organizing the Lions (rugby) Tour, the Confederations Cup and the Indian Premier League last year, South Africa has consolidated its credibility as a reliable and interesting sports destination of the world with this year?s FIFA World Cup.

 

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