| Property owners hoping to make a killing from | | | | African fans to try and fill stadiums across the |
| 2010 accommodation rentals are likely to be | | | | country. |
| bitterly disappointed, as expected tourist numbers | | | | Only 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 million | | | | booked by 2010 accommodation agent Match. To |
| tourists over the six weeks, indications are that | | | | date, 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 gross | | | | have 30% of its inventory marketed for the |
| domestic product has also been downgraded from | | | | World 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 governing | | | | December, with an additional 14 731 room nights |
| body Fifa's Soccer World Cup, has already | | | | released a few weeks ago to the general republic. |
| retruned 450 000 of the 1,8 million bed nights it | | | | Economists warn that people will not make a lot |
| had originally reserved to the market. Match | | | | of money during the World Cup, with many local |
| arranges 2010 accommodation, travelling and | | | | and international visitors who would normally be |
| tickets in packages for fans who wish to attend | | | | travelling 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 less | | | | accommodation. This has been the case in other |
| tickets than was originally anticipated - Fifa is now | | | | countries during major sporting events, most |
| releasing an additional 500 000 tickets to South | | | | notably the Athens Olympics in 2004. |