South African Tourism is hopeful that the Confederations Cup and FIFA 2010 will offset depressed arrivals and help maintain the tourism industry on an even keel.
Arrivals were down from many of the overseas markets, including the UK, from which visits dropped by 2.5% from full year figures for 2007, with 485,166 visitors in 2008 vs. 497,687 in 2007.
South Africa’s arrivals figures are in line with predictions by the United Nations World Tourism Organisation (UNWTO) that the global industry would stagnate or even decline in the second half of 2008. This trend will continue, the UNWTO says, until the volatile world economy recovers.
Although South African Tourism is guarded about the outlook for 2009, big events that South Africa will host in coming months are sure to positively impact visitor growth.
“The British Lions tour to South Africa, the Confederations Cup in June and, of course, the 2010 FIFA World Cup will boost arrivals figures and will be a boon to the South African industry during a time when the global industry is sure to feel the pinch of continuing economic turbulence,” said Lebohang Mokhesi, country manager UK for South African Tourism.
She continued, “There has been unprecedented and encouraging demand for 2010 FIFA World Cup tickets, giving us every indication that we will see hundreds of thousands of visitors flock to South Africa for the World Cup. We are optimistic that the Confederations Cup will be well attended, too. Moreover, the domestic market is a very lucrative one. South Africans are reconsidering foreign holidays in favour of more affordable holidays in South Africa.”
South African Tourism will continue investing in global marketing campaigns to maintain the destination’s top of mind awareness. Indaba 2009 is going to be bigger and better than ever and marketing investment in the global television campaigns on CNN, BBC, EuroSport, National Geographic and others will go ahead as planned.
By Chitra Mogul
