Foreigners to boost SA economy during WC2010 – 50 International Law Enforcement Agencies brought in to assist

THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THE CRIME, LACK OF ELECTROCITY OR WATER, AND WHY THEY HAVE HAD TO BRING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM 50 OTHER COUNTRIES TO TRY AND CURB WHAT WILL WITHOUT A DOUBT BE ABSOLUTE CHAOS!!

Credit & Soutce: Foreigners to boost SA economy during World Cup.

Foreigners will inject R13-billion into South Africa’s economy during the World Cup, helping the soccer spectacular boost economic growth by 0,5 percentage points.  [ << this will make Eskom and Telkom happy]

The estimated gross economic impact for South Africa, including indirect spending and infrastructure built over the past four years, will be R93-billion, according to a study by the accounting firm Grant Thornton.

But the bulk of this is internal government spending.  [<<<<< CORRUPTION & THEFT]

Gillian Saunders, who led the study, told journalists and economists on Wednesday that less foreign fans were expected to come than previously thought, but those that did would spend more compared to other tournaments like Germany in 2006.  [<<< They knew this in December.  They also reported that the high crime rate, the SAA et all price fixing on accommodation and travel and of course more recently our esteemed Julius Malema and President’s ridiculous antics play an important role. They knew this when they failed to sell 500,000 tikets and so then allowed South African residents to purchase tickets in the hope of filling up the stadiums]

With 50 days to go before kick-off, football fever is growing in South Africa but the global economic crisis, the tournament’s high cost as a long haul destination and fears of violent crime have reduced the numbers of foreign fans.

“We have revised the figures post the world-wide recession and major ticket sales phases, and some of the numbers are encouraging,” Grant Thornton’s Saunders said, presenting the study on the World Cup’s economic effect. [<< encouraging?? Love the choice of words here but have to really LOL…. It’s encouraging to be able to stop at a traffic light (if it is working) and not be hijacked, mugged, robbed or raped) in the central business district of ANY city or twon n South Africa]

Grant Thornton has conducted in-depth research into the impact of the World Cup for South Africa, and its reports are seen as authoritative by other analysts.

The month-long soccer spectacular, first in Africa, starts on June 11.

National and regional governments have spent about R40-billion on stadiums, transport and airports.

Foreign fans should spend about R8,8-billion in the country and together with spending by governing body FIFA, other officials and teams, the economy will receive a R13-billion cash injection.

The study showed 373 000 foreigners were expected to visit South Africa for the tournament, about 230 000 of them ticket holders. This is higher than the most recent estimate by the local organisers of 200 000 foreign fans, but down on earlier predictions of 450 000 overseas visitors.

STAY LONGER

Saunders said about 85,000 fans from the rest of Africa and 20 000 other overseas visitors would travel without tickets, to enjoy the atmosphere at urban fan parks, where games will be shown on big screens.

Ticket sales to Africans may fall to just over 11 000 from a previous forecast of almost 50 000, largely due to a complicated internet sales system and the high cost of travel from other parts of the continent.

However, Saunders said fans from outside Africa should stay longer, and spend more.

“We always thought people would come for more matches in South Africa, because it is a long-haul destination, but it seems to be a bit more than that,” she said.

A tourist should stay on average 18,7 days, watch five matches and spend, excluding flights, R30 200 during their stay.

Tourists in 2006 host Germany, close to many participating team countries, watched on average 2,6 matches.

Saunders added the long term benefits of hosting the World Cup could be huge.

While government spending on the tournament has been criticised as excessive, much of the infrastructure will leave a legacy for South Africa, particularly in modernising transport.

Marketing the country through a massive global television audience could attract about 2-million extra tourists over the next three years, according to the study.

“The profiling of South Africa and future spin-offs have always been the real benefit of hosting an event of this magnitude,” Saunders said.

“It’s going to be a great event … volcanic ash willing,” she added in reference to the Icelandic plume that has disrupted global air travel.

THEY FORGOT TO MENTION THE CRIME, LACK OF ELECTROCOTY OR WATER, AND WHY THEY HAVE HAD TO BRING IN LAW ENFORCEMENT FROM 50 OTHER COUNTRIES TO TRY AND CURB WHAT WILL WITHOUT A DOUBT BE ABSOLUTE CHAOS!!