55 000 more beds needed for 2010
2009-06-20 13:59
Johannesburg - About 55 000 soccer fans are yet to book accommodation for the 2010 Soccer World Cup, said property company Seeff Properties on Saturday.
Chairperson Samuel Seeff said in a statement that this has since prompted home owners to rent their homes out for the duration of the sporting event to meet the awaited demand.
According to SA Tourism, there will be a shortfall of around 65 000 beds in Gauteng on peak nights and also shortfalls in smaller cities such as the Eastern Cape's Port Elizabeth with 15 000 beds.
Polokwane in Limpopo and Rustenberg in the North West each had 5 000 beds while Bloemfontein in the Free State had 14 000 and Nelspruit in Mpumalanga 13 000.
"The fact that 55 000 fans still have nowhere to stay presented a business opportunity worth an estimated R400m for the property market," Seeff said.
Homes in prime positions
Homes close to stadiums and in good condition were most likely to be snapped up early by fans, he said.
"Because educational institutions were closed during the event, those with homes in prime positions could consider moving out or even taking a holiday and letting their properties during the event," Seeff said.
The actual amount you would receive varies from property to property. "However, we believe that you could charge a minimum of double the monthly rental that you would ordinarily receive," Seeff said.
"So, if your house could rent today for R20 000 per month, we reckon you could get a minimum R 40 000 or R10 000 per week and that would still be cheap for visitors who pay a lot more for accommodation in their own countries, " he said.
- SAPA