S. Africa updates trade on 2010 World Cup planning

Sunday, 11 May, 2009 0

South African tourism chiefs have been outlining updated plans for staging the 2010 World Cup during the annual Indaba travel trade show.

Johannesburg representatives expressed confidence that its various infrastructure and development programmes are on course for scheduled completion while Tourism KwaZulu-Natal is hoping the 2010 World Cup will have the desired effect of “turning valleys into hills”.

The briefings at Indaba showcased the readiness of two of the nine host cities, but South African Tourism is confident that the remaining provinces present the same reports on their 2010 preparations.

“South Africa is more than ready to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The report from the two host cities is an indication that the tournament will provide a memorable experience for the thousands of Australians who will visit the country,” said Bangu Masisi, General Manager, Australasia, South African Tourism.

“The Confederations Cup will be held in little over a month and will provide the perfect test ground for the World Cup, giving us a chance to showcase our wonderful and unique product to the rest of the world,” concluded Ms Masisi.

The Johannesburg briefing confirmed that Soccer City, the location of the Opening Ceremony and the Grand Final match, is close to 85% completion and will seat up to 91,000 fans.

Visitor security and safety remains the key focus of the Joburg 2010 office and executive director Sibongile Mazibuko is confident that Johannesburg’s infrastructure is more than adequate to provide a hospitable stay for the expected throngs of people.

Lindiwe Mahlangu , CEO, Johannesburg Tourism Company, said: “We are preparing to host the biggest and most successful World Cup ever, and we need to make our intentions clear during the Confederations Cup, which is largely seen as the lead in tournament.

“The fact that we are hosting the most number of matches will help us showcase our grandeur as a big-event host and a destination.

“We have, in the past, successfully hosted some mega international events, including World Summit on Sustainable Development, International Cricket Federation World Cup, Miss World pageant, and more recently, the A1 Grand Prix.”

Mazibuko added: “Our transportation system is being optimized, through the various road and railway upgrades.

“Our Emergency Management System (EMS) has developed an Emergency Preparedness Strategy that includes Compliance with Disaster Management Act (2002), capacity-building programme and general emergency preparedness.”

Tourism KwaZulu-Natal sees the 2010 World Cup as an opportunity to generate year-long travel to improve on its seasonality slumps, and to package the province as a destination in its own right.

Ndabo Khoza, CEO, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, said: “Durban is the host city and it is within three hours of most of the province’s tourism attractions, namely the South Coast, North Coast, Elephant Cost, Battlefields, Zululand, Ukhahlamba-Drakenberg and Pietermaritzburg/Midlands.

“All of these offerings can be packaged as part of the soccer world cup experience without impacting on the soccer schedule.”

Khoza offered partnership opportunities to the travel trade and appealed to spread the message and remind visitors that KwaZulu-Natal was a destination “within your reach, the experience is beyond expectation.”

Both provinces have developed host city-specific websites to showcase developments and provide destination information, at www.joburg.org.za and www.kzn2010.gov.za

by Phil Davies

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Phil Davies

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