World Cup ticket sales much lower than expected
2010-03-03 11:30
Only 150 000 Soccer World Cup tickets had been sold to foreign
visitors out of an expected 450 000, Beeld newspaper reported today.
The transport department’s 2010 aviation coordinator, Pule Selepe,
told MPs in the portfolio committee for transport that crime perceptions could
be a reason for this.
Selepe said the international media portrayed South Africa as a
crime-ridden country. Also, South Africa was too expensive in terms of
accommodation and transport.
The sales of the 150 000 tickets was not a final figure yet and it
could still increase, Selepe said.
But it would be nowhere near the 450 000 foreign visitors initially
expected to travel to South Africa.
Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk yesterday said between 300
000 and 450 000 foreign visitors were expected in South Africa in June and July.
- SAPA