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Industry holds out hopes for last-minute WC boom
Reports of sluggish sales for 2010 Fifa World Cup tickets and the releasing of thousands of rooms by MATCH has caused concerns that the event may yield very disappointing results for the local tourism industry. Despite this, many are optimistic that SA will experience a last-minute surge in demand for tickets.
Martin Jansen van Vuuren, director of Grant Thornton Strategic Services, says he expects that the release of room stock by MATCH, along with special rates being offered by airlines, will result in surge in late bookings for the World Cup.
A factor that may still be causing fans to hesitate, could be lack of confidence in SA as a host country. Daniel Velayutham, resident manager of The Westville Hotel, says once the international community becomes convinced of SA's ability to make the World Cup a reality, we will see an increase in bookings. "Once they see the development that has taken place and the achievements we have made, they will be less sceptical and the bookings will start coming in."
Gerhard Patzer, gm of the Hilton Durban, believes the fact that there are still tickets available for Round 16 is proof that we will see a surge in demand closer to the event. "I am also convinced that there will be late bookings for the earlier games as well, again due to the fact that there are tickets still available and the economic situation seems to be picking up and therefore there is extra money for last-minute decisions."
Another economic factor that may be causing fans to hold off on their bookings is the exchange rate. Gm of Jatinga Country Lodge and Restaurant, Marius Niewoudt, says although he believes many are waiting to see just what the exchange rate will do closer to the event, whether it goes up or down they will still book to experience the event.
So just how late will fans book? Some believe as late as two weeks into the event. Martin Wiest, ceo of Tourvest Inbound Operations, says he anticipates that we will see fans booking well into the tournament, provided that flights and tickets are still available. "This depends on who progresses in the tournament from Round 16 and the quarter finals," says Wiest.
Many anticipate that the biggest increase at the later stages will come from European countries with large fan markets, as well as South America. But others are expecting the biggest demand to come from African markets. Clifford Ross, ceo of City Lodge Hotels, says: "Ticket purchases have been difficult to date through the first four phases, due to the challenging process to obtain tickets. When tickets go on sale over the counter in April, the pace of purchases by the African team qualifiers will increase and accommodation will be booked."
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