2010 Fifa World Cup generated more than R163- million

THE 2010 Fifa World Cup generated more than R163- million in Nelson Mandela Bay and created 614 direct and 834 indirect job opportunities in the tourism sector, according to an impact assessment released by Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism (NMBT) yesterday.

The socio-economic assessment of the event’s impact on Nelson Mandela Bay and surrounds is based on returns received from a broad cross-section of the travel and tourism industry in the city.

The economic benefit totalled about R163.6-million.

The study was compiled for the NMBT by tourism specialist Peter Myles, Siyathetha Communications director Ed Richardson, former PE Regional Chamber of Commerce chief executive Odwa Mtati and Development Partners head Deon Pretorius.

“It was a challenge getting the data as there were various limitations, but what we managed to get proved to be fairly positive,” said Myles.

Additional jobs created included more staff employed in the hospitality industry, supply chain opportunities, tours of the area, car-hire services, live entertainment, and tourism-related services provided by the informal sector.

Feedback indicated the value of global television exposure to Nelson Mandela Bay – a cumulative 28 billion viewers in 204 countries were exposed to the city – was estimated to be worth R188-million.

The value of the exposure to South Africa as a whole was estimated to be worth R1.5-billion for the 40-day period.

“One of the successes that came from the event was that nine out of 10 foreigners who visited South Africa for the World Cup said they would recommend the country to friends and family as a holiday destination. About 96% of the foreign visitors said they would probably return ... for a holiday,” said Myles.

Nelson Mandela Bay received visitors from 60 countries during June/July 2010, which Myles said was unprecedented in the city. By comparison during June/July 2009, Nelson Mandela Bay received visitors from 16 countries. Furthermore, domestic tourists came from all nine provinces in South Africa.

A total of 274555 visitors attended the Fifa Fan Fest in Port Elizabeth during the World Cup, according to NMBT. It was voted the third best in the country.

“Port Elizabeth International Airport (PEIA) was able to cope with a massive 260% increase in air traffic.

“With a temporary terminal rented from Portugal, and double the normal staff complement working 24 hours a day, the airport had the capacity to process 1050 passengers an hour. Aviation history was made in Port Elizabeth when an Airbus A340-200 aircraft landed at PEIA for the first time on July 2. Another milestone was that 19 aircraft landed at the airport on the same day. I think this is an indication of the capacity our airport can deal with,” said Myles.

For the Brazil-Holland game there were 180 departures and arrivals.

Festivals in the area coinciding with the event – the Kirkwood Wildlife Festival and the National Arts Festival – experienced a growth in attendance of 10% and 8.7% compared to last year respectively. A noticeable presence of foreign visitors was reported.

Foot traffic at the Boardwalk increased by 57% compared to the same time from the previous year to 334687. A total of 164 tour buses visited the Boardwalk during the World Cup. Also, in June the tenant turnover showed a substantial increase of 107% on the June 2009 turnover, and the restaurants’ turnover for the same period showed a 135% increase over the previous year.

The three SA National Parks in the Eastern Cape were visited by visitors from 60 countries.

Local car hire companies indicated an 11% growth during the World Cup compared to the previous year.