Availability of accommodation, airline seat capacity and price increases around South Africa’s hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup were the major focus of visitors to the South African stand at this year’s World Travel Market (WTM).
 
This is the world from Protea Hotels’ Director Sales & Marketing & Revenue Management, Danny Bryer, who recently returned from the world expo in London.
 
He said he experienced no negativity towards the impending World Cup in South Africa. “There were no questions concerning crime or if we can successfully hold the event. The major focus was on the availability of accommodation, seat capacity and price increases. Also, questions were being asked if the global economy will have recovered sufficiently next year to allow the majority of fans to travel to South Africa.”
 
Bryer said he had concerns about seat capacity from China, India and the rest of the Far East and South America. These were new markets and he believed South Africa would be able to tap into more in future thanks to greater exposure through the World Cup. He also pointed to the growth potential out of Africa and the Middle East with Abu Dhabi and Dubai becoming new connecting hubs to the UK, Europe and Asia.
 
Bryer said Protea Hotels, prior to the final draw on December 4, had put a hold on bookings over the World Cup period. Once it was determined which teams would compete where, participating countries would have access to tickets, meaning overseas tour operators would start packaging tours to South Africa around the event. “All of this means that we can expect a run on bookings by the end of January. Only then will we know what the real demand is. I believe Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban will be over-supported for the six weeks of the event, but the question is if this will be the case in the smaller cities.”
 
Bryer said he believed “nothing would get in the way of passionate soccer fans”. “If they can afford it, they will come.” He expected fans to stay on average five to 10 days, attending either the first two weeks or the quarter- and semi finals or final. He believed fans would arrive two to three days before a match and not many would book pre- and post-event tours.  In contrast, the media and participating teams would arrive well ahead of time to set up and prepare and stay for the full duration of the tournament.
 
“For us hotels it is going to be important that we will be seen as mini ‘match villes’ and that we will provide all the amenities that fans want.” He said Protea Hotels was preparing by training its staff in service, languages and anything fans may require; upgrading hotels’ Internet speed; installing more plugs; and establishing a “soccer fan zone” in each hotel. 
 
Bryer said it was clear at WTM that the world, South Africa included, still suffered from the recession. The trend was towards last-minute decision-making. Most Europeans travellers in December were only expected to make a decision two weeks before departure. He said Protea Hotels’ yield management system was already forecasting low demand for the period December 10 to 25. The company had already lowered its prices in Cape Town accordingly and was offering specials for the period.
 
In summing up his experience of WTM, Bryer said while SA Tourism was doing a good job promoting the country, the approach from the various provinces was too self-centred and fragmented. “We need a more unified approach in tourism in South Africa,” he said.