Number of visitors 2010 world cup

Hey,

I was wondering if anybody has an estimate of how many people are going to be coming to SA to watch the 2010 soccer world cup?

As a South African I wonder whether SA will have the necessary infrastructure to handle all the visitors, in terms of public transport, accommodation, etc. But this all depends on my first question.

Any ideas guys?

[Ming]

The cold reality about the World Cup been held in South Africa in 2010, is that I don't think that it can expect anything more then 500,000 visitors which I think is optimistic. The Fatherland, Germany is expecting approximately 3 million visitors and I doubt that at least half of them will have the country’s colour splashed across their chests with the other half coming from all over Europe.

The reality is that we live in Africa, right on the southern tip, we might as well be living in the South Pole. As far as Europeans are concerned, I doubt very much if more than 500,000 visitors will make the great trek to come and visit us, especially with all the security problems this country has. If South Africa does improve their football skills over the next four years, I doubt very much that we'll even have 500,000 people attending.

[Nikki]

Hi to all the soccer fans of the world!

As I am sure, you have heard that South Africa has been chosen to host the 2010 Soccer world cup.

But to answer the question posted, the event will have a huge economic impact on South Africa, as well as an influx of soccer fans from the world over. It is estimated that 80% of all tourists visiting SA during the World Cup, will be coming through Johannesburg International Airport, the volumes have been estimated at 120 000 visitors, all staying in Gauteng for the duration of the tournament.

Therefore, a financial impact report had to be made. Leading to a direct expenditure of R12, 7 billion. For the event to be a success, an estimated R2.3 billion has been spent on the upgrading of stadiums and infrastructure.

At this very moment, meticulous planning is being carried out. All to welcome and fulfill a soccer world cup experience in South Africa.

As Danny Jordaan said after the 2010 World Cup Bid announcement, “My country is ready to welcome the world. With our colourful dress, songs and dances, I can assure you 2010 will be something the world has never seen before at a World Cup”.


So be reassured that all the steps have been taken to ensure a safe, successful and enjoyable world cup.

[oliver]

I don't have enough factual knowledge behind me to say one way or the other - but what I can do is give a maximum bound on how many international tourists will be here based on some basic assumptions.

Assume
- 150 international flights arrive in SA each day
- average international flight is 350 passengers
- number of international visitors on an average flight is 80%
(the other 20% would be South Africans returning from a holiay, business, etc)

Now, the 2010 world cup will last for one month. I would guess that people coming to watch it would arrive a maximum of one week before - this gives us 5 weeks for people to arrive through the tournament.

Using all the information above I can say confidently that the most people that could possibly arrive to watch the World Cup is given by
150 x 350 x 0.8 x 35 = 1470000.

So, whatever happens, don't expect more than 1.5 million people!

32 teams would play 64 matches in nine host cities around the country.

About 50 000 spectators would, on average, attend each match; about 3,2 million tickets would be sold, 70 percent of these internationally; and about 300 000 international ticket holders would visit South Africa, each attending, on average, four to five matches. There shall be a further 200 000 "long-haul and cross-border arrivals without tickets".

TOTAL= 500 000 visitors

There willl be 1-2 milions if SA can handle the preparations for this event. I', glad if it takes place at all in SA. I'm from Switzerland and it doesn't bother me at all to fly down to SA. I do this every year. We live in the 20th century so distance is no difficulty.

sorry 21st century

I am from Romania, and I want to come in South Africa in 2010.
But I heard that the security is a big problem, especially in Johannesburg.....and the black people don't like white people.

[Ming]

Thats a lot of rubbish. SA is a great country with a healthy thriving democracy.
Racism is a thing of the past. The security for 2010 will be excellent.

[Pokoloko]

I think that it's a good chance for SA to be exposed to the world and that they should start from today if that's possible to advertise other aspects than football as well.They should also have to consider the idea of cooperating with travel agencies to provide a package of holidays including activities beside football.Actually even if i don't have any experience from SA i have to state that medias already have started a 'war' concerning the security of the teams and the visitors.I think that a million or so should be a satisfactory number of visitors.