Fifa urges South Africa fans to buy World Cup tickets

Football's world governing body has launched a new drive to encourage local fans to buy the 500,000 unsold tickets for this summer's World Cup.

With two months until the start of the tournament, tickets are still available for every match except the final.

Organisers have admitted the initial reliance on internet sales was not the most "friendly" system for local fans.

"We want to ensure the picture we give to the world is full stadiums," said Fifa secretary-general Jerome Valcke.

Demand from visiting fans has been lower than originally anticipated, with a "significant number" of tickets being returned, including those from corporate sponsors.

The effects of the global recession have been partly to blame, while fears of crime have also contributed to the relative lack of travelling supporters.

Officials have blamed the cost of long-haul flights to South Africa, while the government has launched inquiries into both accommodation costs and alleged domestic airline price fixing.

And with most fans in South Africa in the habit of buying tickets on match day, Valcke admitted the emphasis should have been shifted away from internet sales at an earlier stage.

Reports suggest that less than half of the population in South Africa has access to the internet.

"The approach at the beginning was not the most friendly system for South Africa and South Africans. But there is always time to learn - 62 days [before the tournament] is a long period," Valcke said.

If we do have empty stadiums, it will reinforce the idea that football is not supported in the country and that would be tragic

Tournament chief executive Danny Jordaan

The final phase of ticket selling will see 11 new centres in the nine host cities where fans can buy tickets "over the counter".

"We have always said that it is important that we make this World Cup more accessible to the [South African] people and with the over-the-counter sales, we believe this is a measure that is consistent with the needs of the fans," said tournament chief executive Danny Jordaan.

"If we do have empty stadiums, it will reinforce the idea that football is not supported in the country and that would be tragic.

"The reality is that this is a football-mad country."

More than 100,000 tickets will be available exclusively to South Africans for $20 (£13), the lowest World Cup price for many years.

About 2.2m tickets have been sold have already been sold, with the United States somewhat surprisingly heading the list of overseas buyers with 118,945 tickets. British fans have bought more than 67,000 tickets.

But in Germany, only 32,269 tickets have been sold and Valcke admitted that sales in Europe have been "disappointing".

"Maybe we are getting too much [football]," said Valcke.

"We are getting it whatever we want. We have football matches every day. Either the Champions League or the Europa League or the club league or the cups..."

South Africa has poured 33bn rand (£2.9bn) into preparations for the tournament. Major upgrades to airports in Johannesburg, Cape Town and Bloemfontein are complete, while Durban's new airport is set to open on 1 May.

The country is also trying to reassure fans about security in a nation with one of the highest crime rates in the world, averaging 50 murders each day. An extra 41,000 police have been recruited for the tournament.

Cape Town Waterfront Marina Apartments

10/06 - 12/07
(min stay 3 nights)
Next to the One and Only hotel overlooking the Marina.

The beauty of these is they will be run like a 5 star hotel and have access to all the One and only's facilities, serviced twice daily and have the use of the Waterfront VIP Club penthouse (valued at R28M) with panoramic views of the stadium and Marina.

We will be serving breakfast, watching all matches & sundowners etc.

This world class 5 star facility is only available to groups who are staying in the apartments detailed below.

This facility is ideal for a group of 25-30 people who want to network and socialize during the day/night.

3 bedroom

1 bedroom

Penthouse (3 bedrooms)

2 bedroom

R4250 per room
including breakfast, unlimited drinks including premium brands, giant plasma screens to view games and full use of the VIP club penthouse.

5 Star Cape Town Accom

10/06 - 25/06
(min stay 3 nights)

1 bed suites, R6,700

2 bed suites, R8,900



25/06 - 08/07

1 bed suites; R6,700

2 beds suites, R8,900

The Ritz 21st floor Revolving Restaurant

Pre and post match hospitality

Hospitality commences at 5pm

Pre match buffet style hot & cold food

Complimentary wine included.

Pre-Match


A glass of sparkling wine on arrival

Rare roast beef on crusty French

Tomato & Mozzarella with pesto

Cocktail vegetable samoosas

Chicken Satays with sweet Chilli dip

Cocktail Rump Kebabs

Filled Crumbed Mushrooms and Dolmades

Butternut Pansotti‘s

Mini Kingklip Sosaties

Post Match


Cheese platters

Assorted Canapes

Mini Pizzas

Meat balls

Cheese cakes

Fruit Kebabs

Chocolate Eclairs

Tea/Coffee

R1200/head for group matches

World Cup Accom Is Reponsibly Priced

THE majority of accommodation providers in South Africa have acted responsibly when it comes to pricing for the 2010 Soccer World Cup.

Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk made this statement releasing the results of a survey conducted by Grant Thornton to compare 2010 rates to regular accommodation rates.

“The research shows that 74% of all accommodation establishments in the country are charging a premium less than 50% above their highest rate for 2010. Half of all establishments will not be charging a premium at all,” said van Schalkwyk.

A total of 2479 respondents were sourced in all nine provinces, including hotels, guest houses, bed and breakfast establishments, lodges, camping and self-catering facilities.

“The survey has found that the addition of price premiums to normal high season rates for accommodation during major events is a global norm, during such events, normal economic principles of supply and demand result in premium pricing,” the minister said.

He added that many respondents do “recognise the damaging impact that exorbitant accommodation prices will have on the legacy of 2010.”

“We will continue to do everything to discourage excessive premiums when these do occur. I have consulted with the tourism industry in this regard,” Van Schalkwyk concluded.

U20 Cape Town International Challange

Next month Cape Town will host some top U20's International Teams in the International Challenge.

This will be staged at both Newlands Stadium and the NEW Cape Town Stadium

8/4 Ghana v Nigeria 13:00 CET
Brazil v SA 18:00

10/4 SA v Nigeria 15:30 CET
Ghana v Brazil 18:00

Tickets available through Computicket

Cheap World Cup Beds

superior hostel accommodation – cape town


NO MIN STAY & FIXED PRICES ALL MONTH!!


* Affordable and comfortable accommodation
* Within walking distance to Cape Town Stadium and Fan Mile
* 24 hour professional security guaranteed
* Cater for single and group bookings
* Newly furnished beds and linen included
* Rates include breakfast and complimentary gift pack (MTN Sim card, Rain mack and more)
* 2000 beds available

package contents

* Rooms available – 2; 4; 8; 12 and 16 bed rooms
* Shared bathrooms (separate male and female)
* Breakfast lounge
* Big screen TV’s to view all World Cup games
* Internet kiosks and wireless connection (Pay as you go)
* 24 hour security
* Digital Safes
* All rooms heated
* 24 hour Reception
* 24 hour medical on site

SOCIAL INITIATIVE

This great opportunity to host the World Cup has provided many benefits to the people of South Africa. It has generated thousands of jobs and allowed us to regenerate our infrastructure across the country.

We have contracted with 4 disadvantaged schools in Cape Town to convert them into hostels during the world cup period. The classrooms and bathrooms will be refurbished and painted. The dormitories will benefit from all the new bedding and linen. The schools will also benefit financially.

Please contact us for more info and prices
info@africatravelnetwork.net