Jordaan admits recession could hit World Cup visitor numbers 12/04/2010 |
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World Cup 2010 chief Danny Jordaan has admitted that the global economic downturn is likely to affect the number of foreign visitors coming to South Africa for the tournament.
Initial estimates suggested that about 450,000 visitors would arrive in the country during the event, but recent reports have claimed that figure is likely to be closer to 350,000.
Jordaan would not be drawn on the numbers, saying he would only have a clearer idea once he met with officials from South Africa's tourism department.
But he added: "There is a global economic impact and when we initially did an economic impact assessment in 2003, the result at that time was that we should expect about 450,000 visitors in 2010.
"The reality is that in 2008 and early 2009, there was a global economic impact and we saw that not just around major events, but also impact on international travel.
"Notwithstanding that, the country is still attracting 11 million visitors a year, which means almost one million per month into South Africa.
"After discussing with the minister of tourism [Marthinus Van Schalkwyk] and looking at the figures we will be able to come back with the exact figures from our side.
"We are now talking about 350,000, but the researched position was 450,000."
Jordaan also said he was confident that this summer’s Wold Cup will be delivered within budget.
He revealed that the Organising Committee (OC) had approved funding of $423m from Fifa to stage the tournament – 32 per cent of which had been spent by the end of the 2008/2009 financial year.
OC chief executive Jordaan continued: "Organising committees of all major events around the world have to contend with budgetary demands and pressures and this committee is no different.
"I am happy to report that the OC has maintained financial prudence and discipline throughout and I am confident that this will continue as we enter the final phase of delivering the tournament.
"We have utilised approximately 32 per cent of the approved budget. This means that 68 per cent of the funds have been retained for the final year to deliver the most important phase of the World Cup."
And OC chairman Irvin Khoza pointed out that South Africa was in a better position than Germany at the same stage four years ago.
He said: "At this point in time, we are more than comfortable in terms of the sales. There are plus-minus 500,000 tickets remaining.
"Those 500,000 tickets, we are confident they will be sold when the over-the-counter sales phase starts.
"We are working to achieve a level that has never been achieved previously because it is not easy. Even in Germany, all the tickets were not sold out."
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