- The British and Irish Lions rugby tour is likely to bring revenue to Cape Town's tourism and events industry, authorities say.
- Cape Town is one of the host cities.
- The tour takes place later this year.
The British and Irish Lions rugby tour will take place later this year, it has been confirmed, and will offer a much-needed boost to the local economy.
The tour will also help the events industry to recover, according to Cape Town Mayor Dan Plato.
"The events industry is a crucial part of our local economy and we are determined to uphold our reputation as a top events destination and support the recovery of the sector," he said.
"As a host city, we are pleased to hear that the British and Irish Lions and SA Rugby have agreed to proceed with this prestigious tournament. We are confident that, with the strict adherence to Covid-19 protocols and an innovative way of structuring the tournament, this event will be able to bring joy to thousands of sports lovers."
Western Cape Finance and Economic Opportunities Minister David Maynier added that the tour would bring in revenue for businesses that were affected by travel restrictions as a result of the Covid-19 pandemic.
?? in ???? BREAKING! SA Rugby and the British & Irish Lions confirmed they were aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window?? Full story here: https://t.co/qFFPpzd7xG pic.twitter.com/E1nYd2XkYS
— Springboks (@Springboks) March 23, 2021
"We welcome the announcement from the SA Rugby and the British and Irish Lions that they were aligned on delivering the Castle Lager Lions Series in South Africa in the scheduled playing window.
"With two matches currently scheduled to take place in Cape Town, this event will be a boost for the economy and for businesses, especially those in the tourism and hospitality sector, which have been hard-hit by Covid-19. Some uncertainty still remains around travel and attendance, but we are committed to doing everything we can to ensure the success of the Castle Lager Lions Series in the Western Cape."
READ HERE | Lions tour in SA still holds no economic value if it's behind closed doors
Plato added that there was no confirmation on whether spectators would be allowed to attend in stadiums.
The finer details of the tour will be announced by the organisers.
Cape Town has been home to annual signature events and was named the World's Leading Festival and Event Destination 2020 at the World Travel Awards.
Did you know you can comment on this article? Subscribe to News24 and add your voice to the conversation.
