| The FIFA World Cup in South Africa will soon be | | | | the government will get on top of this and sort |
| upon us and as with any worldwide event like this, | | | | out this situation, as it will undoubtedly put many |
| there is immense public debate of how well the | | | | fans off. |
| preparations are going. For South Africa, this is | | | | The second area of concern is accommodation |
| the first time they have hosted the FIFA World | | | | prices. At this point it is worth pointing out that |
| Cup and the eyes of the world will be upon them, | | | | after Sydney hosted the last Olympics, instead of |
| perhaps with even more scrutiny than previous | | | | seeing an upturn in visitors after the event, there |
| hosts. This is a magnificent opportunity to sell this | | | | was a dramatic decrease in tourists for the next |
| wonderful country and all it has to offer | | | | three years! Much of this decrease in tourism was |
| international visitors. The latest reports are that | | | | put down to the prices being charged during the |
| ticket sales are not going as well as hoped and | | | | Olympics. The same thing is happening in South |
| some qualifying nations are reporting public | | | | Africa. Many accommodation owners are charging |
| concerns over safety for their teams and | | | | 5, 6 7+ times more than their normal rates. This |
| supporters. South Africa has invested a huge sum | | | | short term profiteering, known as 'gouging', is |
| of money in preparing the stadia and putting in | | | | ridiculous. Fans are being "ripped off" and this is |
| place transport infrastructure to ensure the | | | | leaving many football supporters with the only |
| games are enjoyed by all the fans. Perhaps the | | | | decision not to come to South Africa. This is such |
| most concerning areas for potential fans, looking | | | | a shame as the quality of the accommodation |
| to attend the World Cup, are the costs for | | | | offered by guest houses, B&B's and self |
| accommodation and internal flights. | | | | catering owners is generally far higher than that in |
| I am aware of prices for internal flights being | | | | many other countries. Of course, there will always |
| offered at 4 to 5 times their normal price for the | | | | be corporate packages that will take up these |
| time of year. This doesn't just impact fans but | | | | high prices to entertain their clients but for the |
| also those living in South Africa. In their wisdom, | | | | average football fan this will be a World Cup that |
| the government has decided that their will be a | | | | is an expense too far. What a shame when the |
| national school holiday throughout the World Cup | | | | country has so much to offer fans during their |
| period. For working parents this presents enough | | | | breaks between games. I really feel this is going |
| problems, but if you were to contemplate going | | | | to be a "lost opportunity" for the South Africa |
| away on holiday during this time then you will | | | | tourism industry and that venue owners are going |
| come up against the same problem that fans are | | | | to regret the high prices they are charging. |
| having - extortionate prices! There is currently an | | | | Hopefully they will come to their senses, along |
| investigation underway involving a number of the | | | | with the airlines, and lower their prices. Otherwise |
| key airline carriers in South Africa around price | | | | how else will the numbers coming to the World |
| fixing - this is further exacerbated by the | | | | Cup reach anywhere near the expected 1 million. |
| complete lack of flights during this time. Hopefully | | | | |