2010 Accommodation: Oversupply Looms

Property owners hoping to make a killing fromAfrican fans to try and fill stadiums across the
2010 accommodation rentals are likely to becountry.
bitterly disappointed, as expected tourist numbersOnly about 10% of the 2010 accommodation
are forecast to drop by thousands.available in the Kruger National Park has been
While initial estimates forecast at least half a millionbooked by 2010 accommodation agent Match. To
tourists over the six weeks, indications are thatdate, a mere 76 bookings have been made
these numbers may drop to 300 000 or below.through Match, while Sanparks has agreed to
The expected boost to the country's grosshave 30% of its inventory marketed for the
domestic product has also been downgraded fromWorld Cup. Sanparks released more than 9 000
1,5% to as little as 0,2%.room nights, previously reserved for Match, in
Match, the exclusive agent for football governingDecember, with an additional 14 731 room nights
body Fifa's Soccer World Cup, has alreadyreleased a few weeks ago to the general republic.
retruned 450 000 of the 1,8 million bed nights itEconomists warn that people will not make a lot
had originally reserved to the market. Matchof money during the World Cup, with many local
arranges 2010 accommodation, travelling andand international visitors who would normally be
tickets in packages for fans who wish to attendtravelling during June and July preferring to stay at
the tournament in South Africa in June and July.home due to the higher costs of transport and
Foreign fans have also bought significantly lessaccommodation. This has been the case in other
tickets than was originally anticipated - Fifa is nowcountries during major sporting events, most
releasing an additional 500 000 tickets to Southnotably the Athens Olympics in 2004.