Small and medium accommodation providers are set to benefit most from a late influx of football fans wanting to attend the South African World Cup.
Thandiwe January-McLean, South African Tourism’s chief executive, said many of the larger properties were already sold out as their rooms had been sold as part of wider packages by large operators for the tournament, which kicks off on June 11.
However, as excitement for the tournament builds, she believes there will be a spate of late arrivals to the country who will need places to stay, even if they haven’t managed to book tickets for the games.
January-McLean said: “The World Cup is going to attract last-minute visitor entries. There are going to be lots of people coming into the country looking for accommodation at the cheaper end of the market and many of the small hoteliers will benefit.
“We expect the late visitors to be people coming overland across the borders and young travellers from Europe. Even if they don’t go to the matches, they will need accommodation.”
Airports Company South Africa (ACSA) chief executive Mohla Hlahla agreed that smaller hotels and bed-and-breakfast providers would benefit, adding: “The football fans will do things they want to do and smaller businesses are very malleable; you will see the creativity of the smaller businesses as they respond to market demands.”