010 FIFA World Cup - Tourism and hospitality

The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ is an opportunity for the world to be exposed to South Africa as a destination of choice for both leisurely and business interests

• The event is an unprecedented opportunity to make South Africa a more widely known and better understood destination. The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will leave a tangible and lasting tourism legacy in South Africa.
• South Africans are ready to welcome the international community to our country with hospitality and openness.
• South Africa offers exceptional value for money and a quality travel experience, combined with range of activities and attractions.
• As a developing economy, South Africa is composed of various lucrative markets and business ventures which are ready to be partnered with.

Measures are in place to assist all 2010 FIFA World Cup™ visitors during their stay in the country

• A National Tourism Contact Centre will provide tourists with a  single point for all tourism related information. The contact centre is available 24 hours a day, seven days a week and will serve customers in seven international languages (English, French, Italian, Spanish, German, Dutch and Portuguese).
• Visitor Information Centres have been opened in the five host cities of Polokwane, Bloemfontein, Rustenburg, Nelspruit and Port Elizabeth.
• South Africa signed an agreement with Zimbabwe, Zambia and Mozambique to allow tourist “border-free” tourism packages. 
• Trained volunteers, aptly named “tourist buddies”, will provide helpful tourism information and friendly service to 2010 FIFA World Cup visitors.

Ticket holders of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will receive preferential treatment at ports of entry

• Speedy immigration processing through dedicated express lanes will be available to all 2010 FIFA World Cup ™ ticket holders at ports of entry.
• Mobile border units will be deployed at various land ports of entry, where a high volume of visitors are expected, for expedient clearance of travellers..
• South Africa is the first country in the history of the FIFA World Cup™ to offer an Event Visa to nationals travelling from specific non-visa exempt African countries. 
• A new system capable of scanning 65 security features in a passport in less than 15 seconds, will facilitate quicker and safer passage of tourists.
• The South African Revenue Service (SARS) is piloting the state-of-the-art Movement Control System at Johannesburg's OR Tambo International Airport, and will soon roll it out at 33 priority ports of entry countrywide.

Accommodation

Government is satisfied that the majority of South Africa's accommodation establishments are acting responsibly

• South Africa has sufficient numbers of rooms available at affordable prices around the country to cater for the accommodation needs of 2010 FIFA World Cup visitors.
• MATCH, the company appointed by FIFA to deliver accommodation, has secured 1 725 190 room nights for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ and 43 percent of the entire inventory (741 832 room nights) in the 1 007 properties will be reserved for the general public.
• Seventy-four percent of South African accommodation establishments are charging reasonable prices ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™.
• FIFA’s accreditation extends from South Africa’s top-notch hotels to selected game lodges, guesthouses and bed and breakfast establishments.
• Other innovative accommodation facilities include the camping village that will be set up at Sahara Stadium Kingsmead, Durban. This venue is in walking proximity to the Moses Mabhida Stadium.