Tourism in South Africa would receive a massive shot in the arm if Cape Town unseats George as the venue for the Rugby Sevens World Series.
Rugby Sevens has received a massive boost now that it has been accorded Olympic status. There is a seismic shift that is not apparent yet in the traditional heartland of countries like South Africa, immersed in the tradition of the 15-man game.
Rugby Sevens is set to explode as nations worldwide get involved because of the Olympics.
The World Series is played in eight cities over six months and the big daddy of the tournament is the highly successful Hong Kong Sevens.
Over 20 000 big-spending overseas visitors descend on Hong Kong to join the locals as 40 000 dance, drink and perform over three days at the end of March in what can only be called the mother of all parties.
Hong Kong Sevens is much more than just the rugby. It attracts markets such as old buddies who would go on hunting or fishing trips or girls looking for a hen party with a difference.
Cape Town is one of the SA towns along with George that has submitted tenders to the International Rugby Board to host the SA leg for the next five years.
The average visitor to the HK Sevens earns R945 000 a year and the event has a major positive impact on the economy. An astounding 99% of them say they will recommend the event and 86% say they will return next year.
However well George has done so far in hosting this event, only Cape Town can unseat Hong Kong as the world’s premier venue for what has become among the world’s fastest growing sporting codes.
