"The government predicts an estimated 400 000 people will visit the country during the 30-day event."
"But Linda Pereira, a business tourism expert from Portugal, says authorities might find that figure difficult to achieve if the country continues to receive negative publicity abroad."
"Pereira said staging an incident-free World Cup would be 'a test by fire' for the country's tourism industry."
"She said the soccer spectacular could either be an overwhelming success and attract more mega sporting and business events, or be a disaster, which could have dire effects for the country's flourishing tourism sector."
Source:
SA crime myths may ruin World Cup attendance
Independent Online
March 10 2009
