2010 FIFA World Cup official statistics

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World Cup a resounding success for the whole nation

© South African Tourism

It's official - the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was a major success on many levels. The results of a recent 2010 FIFA World Cup™ impact study by South African Tourism (SAT) and the National Department of Tourism illustrate that the event will have a lasting legacy for the country and its tourism industry.

At a press conference on the 6 December 2010 Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk announced that the results show that more than 309 000 tourists arrived in South Africa for the sole purpose of attending the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, giving the local economy a boost of R3.6 billion - as well as raising the profile of South Africa as a sought-after tourist destination.

'Six months ago the world watched in awe as the spectacular opening ceremony was broadcast globally from Soweto. For the next 4 weeks our cities and provinces, our tourism industry and our citizens did us proud. And based on the results of our survey of the tourism impact of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™, I can say without a doubt that the success of the event will reverberate for many years to come,' Van Schalkwyk said.

The comprehensive study of the event shows that 38% of the 309 000 foreign visitors came from the African continent, 24% of visitors were from Europe, 13% from Central and South America and 11% from North America.

It is interesting to note from the survey that the the event attracted a large number of first-time visitors to South Africa. 'A total of 59% of arrivals to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ were first-time visitors to the country', Van Schalkwyk said.

Total expenditure for the event was R3.6 billion, with the overall average spend per tourist being R11 800. More than 30% of the spend was on shopping, followed by 20% on accommodation, 19% on food and drink, 16% on leisure and 11% on transport. No doubt the economic boost to the nation will be felt for many years to come.

However, the event meant so much more...

'The 2010 FIFA World Cup™ was never about the hosting of a tournament, but rather about building a legacy for our country and our continent - a legacy in terms of, amongst others, infrastructure development, economic growth, skills development, job creation, nation building and brand awareness. We as South Africans believed, and the world came to believe with us,' Van Schalkwyk concluded.