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Danny wants Olympics

Wed, 04 Nov 2009 07:36
Next year's World Cup will help South Africa promote its tourism industry in new markets, especially in the Americas where the nation has little presence, organising chief Danny Jordaan said Tuesday.

Qualifying nations like Mexico and Honduras will raise South Africa's profile in the Americas, while strong ticket sales in the United States will give the country a new boost among American travellers, he told parliament's tourism committee.

"Mexico, Honduras, these are all completely new markets. The US has bought the highest number of tickets, 82 000," he said. "It carries great opportunity if we can strengthen tourism in the US market."

He said tourism officials in towns like Mossel Bay in the Western Cape were hard at work learning Spanish in preparation for the arrival of the Paraguay team making its base there.

This year South Africa received 9.5 million tourists, a number expected to jump to over 10 million next year, with an estimated 450 000 visitors following their teams to the World Cup.

"Part of the legacy outcome is a very strong tourism legacy," Jordaan said.

Stadiums are wrapping up construction and Jordaan said they "will surprise the world in terms of quality."

Jordaan said a successful World Cup would be reason to bring the Olympics to the continent for the first time.

"I think a successful World Cup will put pressure on the (International Olympic Committee) to award for the first time... the Olympics to Africa"