2010 grading help for guesthouses
29 March 2007
Small non-graded South African establishments will also be able to benefit directly from the hosting of the Fifa 2010 World Cup, as they can now register with Match, the company appointed by Fifa to ensure the provision of accommodation at the event.
Match announced on Tuesday that it had concluded separate agreements for hotel and non-hotel accommodation for the World Cup. This is the first time that non-hotel accommodation will be contracted and promoted by the global football body.
This includes accommodation such as guesthouses and bed-and-breakfast establishments. The registration gives these establishments up to one year, from the date of signing contracts with Match, to acquire grading status from the Tourism Grading Council of SA.
Match and the council will embark on roadshows to all nine host cities between June and November, addressing any questions around grading issues, as well as signing agreements with the relevant local accommodation providers.
Non-graded SMMEs who want to register as official Fifa 2010 World Cup accommodation providers, but require financial assistance to do so, can apply to the Tourism Enterprise Programme for assistance.
Match executive co-chairman Jaime Byrom said accommodation was being contracted in each of the nine host cities, and in satellite accommodation areas around the host cities.
"At least 200 rooms are needed to be contracted in an area for that area to qualify as a Match satellite accommodation area," Byrom said.
Global exposure
All establishments contracted by Match to provide accommodation during the 2010 World Cup will be showcased on the Fifa website, claimed to be one of the most visited sites in the world with about 4.3-billion page views recorded in 2006.
According to Match, this will showcase the variety of quality accommodation available in South Africa leading up to 2010.
"The inclusion of non-hotel accommodation in the offering will definitely boost the second economy's involvement in the world's biggest sporting event," said SA Tourism deputy director-general Patrick Matlou.
Interested non-hotel accommodation establishments are urged to sign the non-hotel agreement as a priority.
Forms are available on the Tourism Grading Council website, or from Match on 0860 72 2010. Completed contract forms must be posted to Match at PO Box 4929, Cresta, 2118.
Source: BuaNews
