Sport 'rescues tourism'

Johannesburg - Sporting events will carry tourism through the worst of the financial crisis as travellers are counting their pennies, say industry players.

Statistics SA reported a 12.5% drop in visitors for March compared to the same month in 2008, with 27% fewer German and 18% fewer UK tourists arriving in SA.

However, industry players said sporting events like the Indian Premier League (IPL), the Lions' rugby tour and the Confederations Cup have helped the sector.

"This was a Christmas period boom which has helped us survive," said Michael Tatalias, CEO of the South African Tourism Services Association (Satsa). "The figures will look a bit strange right now compared to the glory years of two years ago, but we've had good results from sport events like the IPL, the Lions tour and the Confederations Cup which brought a lot of people," said Tatalias.

Over 2 million people passed through SA's ports of entry during March, of which 1.5 million were foreigners. The number of South Africans travelling abroad decreased by 19.7% to about 322 000.

According to Tatalias, the industry depends on consumer confidence.

"People wait to see if their jobs are secure before they make any bookings and pay deposits," he said.

Hotel group City Lodge has seen a definite benefit from the Lion's Tour, according to spokesperson Angus Macmillan.

"We have benefited, but only in the cities where the Lions played, thanks to packages which were planned and paid for up to two years ago," he said.

He said travellers who used to stay in three-star rooms "now buy down and stay in one-star rooms".

- Fin24.com