Tour operators get 2010 boost
28 November 2007
World football authority Fifa has given qualified and experienced tour operators from around the world the opportunity to benefit from the 2010 World Cup in South Africa, by enabling them to sell customised travel packages that include World Cup match tickets.
To make it easier for football fans to identify the tour operators who are entitled to sell travel arrangements with valid 2010 tickets, a special quality mark featuring the 2010 official emblem with the word mark "Authorised Travel Packages" has been developed.
According to Fifa.com, a total of 350 000 tickets have been allocated to cater for these packages.
South African Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk officially presented the tour operator programme to more than 200 interested travel experts from around the world at Soccerex 2007 in Johannesburg on Monday.
"It is extremely important for us to ensure that the first Fifa World Cup in Africa touches as broad an audience as possible in the most meaningful way," Fifa general secretary Jerome Valcke said on Fifa.com.
"Fifa's aim is to facilitate travel to the matches for more than 400 000 international visitors by making use of a strong alliance of available local accommodation in various forms, ranging from small bed-and-breakfast establishments to top world-class hotels, ground and air transportation facilities."
He added that at the same time, Fifa wanted to ensure that spectators arriving for the event would be in for a real African treat, experiencing the great culture that both the continent and South Africa have to offer.
The programme, to be administered by Fifa-appointed Match Event Services, will allow for the appointment of multiple tour operators per country or region in order to foster competition among participating companies, ensuring competitive prices for fans.
"The tour operator programme will help Fifa, the Local Organising Committee, Match and all tourism stakeholders in South Africa to present the 2010 hosts in the best possible light," Local Organising Committee chief executive Danny Jordaan said.
"What is more, the tour operator programme will also enable South African [small, medium and micro] tourism entities to be involved in this once-in-a-lifetime event and benefit from the 2010 Fifa World Cup. It is a chance to enhance international awareness of a world-class tourism destination."
The registration period for interested tour operators starts on 15 February 2008. Interested parties are urged to register online at http://touroperator.match-ag.com
SAinfo reporter
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