South Africa World Cup Leads to Boost for Cheap Hotels
The immense impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup on the South Africa holidays industry was made clear this week, with the publication of statistics showing a dramatic rise in the number of hotels booked out by visiting football fans.
When the tournament kicked off on Friday, STR Global, foremost provider of market information to the international hotel industry, declared that South Africa has “welcomed the world.”
The statement was born out by its own figures. STR found that even before the start of the World Cup, the country's revenue per available room (RevPAR) had started to increase throughout the year. Nationally, South African RevPAR rose by 1.3 per cent between April 2009 and April this year.
The supply of accommodation has also been rising steadily throughout the year, with top-end rooms being boosted by an increased number of cheap hotels and forms of self-catering accommodation. STR said that demand has been increasing alongside this increased capacity, following a similar pattern to June 2009.
During that period, both RevPAR and demand peaked in South Africa at the same time as the World Cup “warm-up event,” the Confederation Cup.
STR said that the long-term influence of the World Cup should prove a great boost to South Africa holidays in future years. Previous host nations have enjoyed significant boosts to their economy as a result of improved tourism both on the year of their World Cup and in following years.
South Africa has already seen an increase in the number of tourists taking Safari holidays, as World Cup fans enjoy the delights of the game parks in between football matches.
Hotels News posted by 
on 15 June 2010
South Africa holidays, hotels, cheap hotels
http://www.hotelnewsnow.com/articles.aspx?ArticleId=3477
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