Domestic tourism might take a back seat during the soccer tournament, however. Advisory and research firm Grant Thornton, which recently conducted a study commissioned by the government into accommodation prices during the World Cup, said last month that domestic tourism was likely to be softer over this winter, as foreign fans displaced local visitors during the soccer tournament.
It said business travellers were likely to postpone their domestic travel plans until after the World Cup and families were likely to stay at home during the school holidays, scheduled during the game.
The firm said it expected between 300 000 and 480 000 foreign fans - 151 000 from Africa - to arrive in SA for the tournament, and spend R8,5bn. Early forecasts of up to 750 000 visitors at the World Cup are now considered unrealistic.
South Africa: World Cup Fans Are Doing Some Tourist Research
Business Day
April 1, 2010
