SA neighbours eye 2010 windfall
2007-09-12 10:00
Maputo - It may still be 1 000 days away but 2010 Soccer World Cup host South Africa's neighbours are already carefully studying how to cash in on the expected arrival of hundreds of thousands of foreign visitors.
From the former Portuguese colony of Mozambique to the tiny landlocked kingdoms of Swaziland and Lesotho, some of Africa's poorest countries are eyeing a rare money-spinning opportunity when the month-long tournament kicks off on June 11 at the Soccer City stadium in Johannesburg.
With the tournament being staged in Africa for the first time in its history, the continent as a whole wants to bask in the spotlight and showcase some of its attractions in the hope that visitors will try and take in more than just the delights of the nine South African host cities.
"We would like the Americans, the Europeans, Asians and even Africans who are coming to South Africa for the World Cup to come and stay with us," said Carlos de Sousa, Mozambique's vice minister for youth and sport.
Situated only 100km from Nelspruit and 200km from another host city Polokwane, Mozambique is best placed to benefit from the arrival of players, fans and the media both during and before the tournament.
According to Tourism Minister Fernando Sumbana, the government is planning a major programme of hotel construction in time for the World Cup as well upgrading the roads network.
"We will also increase capacity at the border crossings and the number of flights between the two countries", said Sumbana at a recent press conference.
Trump card
The foreign ministry is looking into the whole question of tourist visas. Closer to kick-off, the government will also launch a major advertising blitz to showcase the country's white sandy beaches and vast nature reserves.
Its trump card could well turn out to be its official language, Portuguese.
Sousa said Mozambique was hoping fellow Lusafone countries such as Brazil and Portugal might base themselves in Maputo during the tournament. As part of that strategy, a 42 000-seat stadium is planned for possible warm-up games.
In Botswana, which is only around 150km from Rustenburg, the government is also working on what tourism ministry spokesperson Tiro Kganela promised would be a "very aggressive" strategy to attract some of the 450 000 foreigners who are expected in the region during the competition.
"It entails among others construction of more sports facilities, upgrading of the current stadiums to cite a few things," Kganela said.
Even Zimbabwe, currently grappling with the effects of the world's highest rate of inflation, is planning to splash the cash in order to draw in visitors.
According to a government document obtained by AFP, Zimbabwe is to spend around US$20m on sprucing up hotels in a state of neglect following the dive in tourist numbers since 2002.
A cabinet committee has also recommended the construction of new stadiums, including one in the resort town of Victoria Falls, in the hope of generating some $50m in tourism revenue.
Showcase
Members of the Local Organising Committee in South Africa however seem more concerned about Zimbabwe's political unrest, with LOC chairperson Irvin Khoza saying in April that he was concerned "it may spill over across our borders."
The troubles of Zimbabwe have created an opening for its northern Zambia to showcase its side of the majestic Victoria Falls which can be accessed by the town of Livingstone.
The authorities there are planning to run a publicity campaign highlighting that the town is less than two hours in a plane from Johannesburg and have already begun work on two five-storey hotels.
Only Namibia seems is keeping its feet on the ground about the possibilities from the tournament. The former German colony is hoping the 2006 tournament's hosts will pay them a visit but it doesn't otherwise expect a major windfall.
"Soccer fans are not really sightseeing tourists during World Cup events," says Carsten Moehle, who runs a tour company in Windhoek.