What can be expected in SA for June/July?

A massive carnival atmosphere showed that there is no doubt that South Africans are excited about the event. The Northern Cape capital had a float, dancers, a marching band with hundreds of residents following and even President Jacob Zuma learning a new Diski Dance. Even though Kimberley is not a match city, supporters showed that you don't need a stadium to be consumed by the World Cup spirit.

An even larger festival is awaiting fans when they join Port Elizabeth festivities at the Nelson Mandela Stadium. The National Arts Festival in Grahamstown has conveniently been scheduled over a 15-day period from the 20th June to the 4th of July for tourists looking to combine local culture with World Cup Fever. The event has been specially structured to attract football fans and give tourists more reason to visit the Eastern Cape.

Knysna, host city to the Dutch and the French, will also hold their annual oyster festival from the 2nd to the 11th of July. The oyster festival organisers will incorporate Danish and French elements in their programme, such as menu translations and Danish and French dishes.

Updated projections from the global audit and advisory firm Grant Thornton of the economic impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup shows that even though there would be fewer international World Cup visitors (373 000) than the previous number of expected tourists (483 000), visitors are expected to stay for longer and spend more. 105 000 of the 373 000 visitors to South Africa over the World Cup period are expected to be non-ticket holders, 85 000 of whom would come from other African countries for a short visit.

Overseas tourists are expected to stay an average of 18 days, 4 days longer than the previous 14days expectation and their spending forecast is up to R 30 200 per person from the previous R 22 000.

The average spend forecast is based on an analysis of current tourist spends in South Africa as well as surveys of potential visitors and visitors to SA for other sporting events such as the Lions' Tour.

Foreigners are expected to attend an average of 5 soccer matches per person (up form the previously expected 3.4 matches). The previous soccer World Cup had an average of 2.6 matches attended per foreigner in Germany during 2006.

However, there are still tickets being sold. The last phase for 2010 FIFA World Cup ticket sales boasted a total of 180 000 tickets sold within just 6 days after the opening of the ticketing centres in the country. 91 000 of the total's tickets were processed by FNB branches while 42 000 were bought through the FIFA.com website and another 42 000 through the 11 ticketing centres throughout the country and about 5 000 were bought through the 18 countrywide Shoprite/Checkers stores.