Archive for May, 2009

The prospect of playing host in 2010 to the most-watched sports event on earth – the FIFA World Cup™ – is giving South African pride and confidence a solid boost according to the latest market research conducted on FIFA’s behalf. These findings are from the second instalment of a six-wave public opinion survey and show a pronounced upward trend in South Africans’ anticipation of the event as well as a deeper understanding of the benefits it can bring to the host nation.

The results of the survey, which was carried out by international research agency SPORT+MARKT, come just one month before South Africa prepares to host the FIFA Confederations Cup. Given that this tournament is regarded by many as the “championship of champions” and is a major international sporting event, the survey suggests that South Africa is more than ready to embrace world-class football and recognise the legacy such tournaments can leave behind.

The following are key extracts from the findings (percentage point change from the first-wave scores in January 2009 in brackets):

• Big leap in confidence – 83 per cent feel their country will be ready to host the 2010 FIFA World Cup (+10)
• An overwhelming 94 per cent (+6) are proud that South Africa is hosting the competition, with 89 per cent (+8) saying the event will bring long-term benefits to the country
• 92 per cent (+5) believe that hosting the competition will lead to an upgrade in infrastructure, notably public transport, roads and telecommunications
• 90 per cent (+7) believe the FIFA World Cup will improve South Africa’s image abroad
• 96 per cent (+5) expect the competition to be a fillip for the country’s tourism industry
• South Africans are determined to enjoy the FIFA World Cup irrespective of Bafana Bafana’s performance. 86 per cent say their interest is unaffected by the performance of the national team (no comparison as this question was not asked in the first wave).

Lingering doubts do remain, however: 58 per cent of respondents believe that crime will be a concern for visitors to the FIFA World Cup, with the same amount anticipating increased congestion problems in South African cities. Furthermore, 59 per cent have concerns about the possibility of inflated prices in South Africa as a result of the tournament.

NB: This urban representative survey was conducted amongst 1,000 South African respondents in all major cities and 2010 FIFA World Cup Host Cities, with quotas for ethnic origin, age and gender. Interviewing was conducted face-to-face in calendar weeks 13-15.

Mauritius has teamed up with the 2010 FIFA World Cup^TM to join Botswana, Mozambique, Namibia, Swaziland and hosts South Africa in a top line-up of accommodation providers. The initiative, which was announced on the occasion of the 2009 Tourism INDABA in Durban by Honourable Xavier Luc Duval, Vice Prime Minister and Minister of Tourism, Leisure and External Communications, Dr. Danny Jordaan, CEO of the 2010 FIFA World Cup Organising Committee and Jaime Byrom, CEO of MATCH (FIFA’s servicing partner for accommodation), forms part of FIFA’s and the Organising Committee’s objective to host an African World Cup and make sure that the entire Southern African region benefits from the global football showpiece.

“We always said it is Africa’s World Cup. To be part of the 2010 accommodation programme is a great marketing opportunity for the tourism industry in the entire Southern African region to directly benefit from the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Mauritius and the other Southern African countries in the accommodation team have the unique chance to showcase fans from all over the world during the four weeks between 11 June and 11 July 2010 the splendid and diverse landscapes and the incredible hospitality the region has to offer,” explained FIFA Secretary General Jérôme Valcke.

The incorporation of the Southern African countries include the Official Tour Operator Programme as well as the Hospitality Programme managed exclusively through MATCH aiming to ensure that the visitors will be in for a real African treat, enjoying the numerous beautiful attractions the continent and Southern African countries have to offer while experiencing the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

“One of the principal objectives of our overall strategy has been to use the 2010 FIFA World Cup as a launching pad to brand and develop the entire region as a preferred tourism and investment destination. Mauritius signing up to the squad further underlines the strong commitment by the entire Southern African region for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The geographic proximity and quality of its hotels is ideal to develop packages to allow fans to fully explore the unique diversity of the Southern African region,” said Danny Jordaan.

“The government and the people of Mauritius are very excited to become an integral part of the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The excellent quality of our accommodation, our picturesque environment and wonderful beaches, together with the warm and inviting hospitality of the Mauritian people, will give an added experience to the fans,” underlined Honourable Xavier Luc Duval.

Be quick and you have a chance! The second ticketing phase for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ will start on Monday, 4 May 2009 at noon (CET, SAST). Approximately 100,000 tickets will be made available for this phase, excluding the two semi-finals and the final (matches 61, 62 and 64). From now on, the tickets will be allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. Applications can be made at First National Bank (FNB) branches or via the FIFA website (www.FIFA.com).

South African football fans who wish to apply at FNB branches will have to present a valid form of identification, while foreigners are required to show their passport. Those who wish to apply on behalf of friends or family will have to provide the details of these persons, including their identity numbers, names, dates of birth and nationality. Each applicant can apply for up to four tickets per match and up to seven matches in total. Ticket prices start at USD 20 (ZAR 140). You will be informed within ten working days whether or not your application has been successful (fully or partly). For further information, customers can send an e-mail to enquiries@2010FWCTC.com or fax +41 43222 6800.

Tickets will be ready for collection at the FIFA venue ticketing centres from April 2010 onwards.

FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 (14-28 June)
Some 320,000 tickets are still available. In order to boost ticket sales in South Africa, four ticketing centres have been set up. The main ticketing centre at Sandton Isle (situated at the corner of Rivonia Road and Linden Street, Sandown/Johannesburg) will be open from 1 May 2009, while the venue ticketing centres at Mangaung/Bloemfontein (Lochlogan Waterfront Mall, situated at the corner of Charles Street and 1st Avenue), Tshwane/Pretoria (Brooklyn Mall, situated at the corner of Middel and Fehrsen Street, New Muckleneuk) and Rustenburg (Waterfall Mall, 1 Augrabies Avenue) will be open from 4 May 2009. The ticket centres will be open from 9.00-6.00, seven days a week.

South African residents will be able to purchase FIFA Confederations Cup 2009 tickets by calling the FIFA ticketing call centre on 083 2010 010 when its lines open on 11 May 2009.

Moreover, as from 11 May, four ticket collection points (two each in Johannesburg and Tshwane/Pretoria) will be provided in the following FNB branches:

• Eastgate Shopping Centre, Gardenview 2047
• Maponya Mall, Old Potchedstroom Road, Klipspruit Kliptown
• Sunny Park, situated at the corner of Esselen and Trevenna Road, Sunnyside
• Hatfield, Hillcrest Blvd Shopping Centre, Lynwood Road

These collection points will be open during normal FNB trading hours.

At all locations the customers need to bring their:

• credit card (if they used the card to purchase their tickets via www.FIFA.com);
• ticket purchase card from their hard ticket application form (if they used the paper application form to purchase tickets);
• proof of identity to confirm they are the person who ordered the tickets.

In recognition of Visa’s valued sponsorship, FIFA prefers VISA-branded credit, debit and pre-paid cards for goods purchased at all official FIFA stores at the venues and online at FIFA.com. For inquiries related to Visa products and services, please contact the Visa International Service Centre.