International tourism experts are convinced that South Africa’s historic hosting of the Soccer World Cup in 2010 will provide a massive boost to the entire continent’s travel industry.
Foreign tourists continue to shy away from visiting Africa, but it’s expected that at least 450,000 will visit South Africa for the greatest sporting spectacle in the world.
Africa, though, continues to struggle against its image of being wracked with conflict, crime and disease. But the continent’s tourism sectors are hoping the Soccer World Cup will improve this reputation.
South Africa’s deputy sports minister, Gert Oosthuizen, says Africa is set to reap the rewards of his country’s “successful” hosting of the World Cup.
According to him, work on all the stadiums being constructed and upgraded for the globe’s largest sporting event and other infrastructure development, such as transport network improvements, will be completed ahead of schedule.
“Everything is going very well so I think the major challenge is to just make sure that we stay on track and we keep focus on the ball, and we will be there, well in advance,” Oosthuizen maintains.
Lelei LeLaulu, a former United Nations official who now directs a non-
He’s certain that the country will not “miss the boat” in putting on an “excellent show” to prove to the world that Africa is about far more than hunger, political conflicts and disease, and will result in international travelers perceiving the continent as one of the best places to vacation.
“The Cup in South Africa is a great thing. South Africa – they’re carrying the flag not just for South Africa but for the continent as a whole…. I applaud the amazing work that they have done to prepare for what will probably be the best World Cup in memory,” LeLaulu enthuses.
