(Caution, this is a very unpatriotic post)
Are you planning on visiting South Africa for the Soccer World Cup 2010? Have you booked your accommodation yet? How much did you pay? How much are you willing to pay? Does it bother you that South Africans are milking you just because you’re a foreigner?
In South Africa 2010 has been a highly discussed topic the past few years, why? Because we are hosting the Soccer World Cup! I’m not a great soccer fan, and neither am I too keen of all the changes happening for the world cup. I am however curious about the way this event will affect the opinion of tourists about South Africa.
Those of us who live here know that the picture is often painted much different in overseas countries compared to what it really is, and I wonder whether “the world” will see that.
Besides that I’m very curious to see how tourists are going to get around. The Gautrain project was started to alleviate the transportation problems, but as everyone now knows, this will NEVER be finished in time. It’s still a good project, but unfortunately will not help much for the tourists traveling needs.
Accommodation is another challenge. People are already advertising their homes – at excessive rates of course.
Always taking advantage of the tourists paying in Pounds, Euros & Dollars. A normal night’s stay in a decent four star guest house would cost about ZAR800 for two people sharing (That’s ZAR400 each, rounded off, which converts to about US$55 per person– now this will definitely not be the norm during the Soccer World Cup)
I took the liberty of searching around and found a couple of places, specially advertised for the soccer world cup…To illustrate my point, I’ve converted all ZAR to US$ to make the comparison easier. (Converted at a rough average of 1US$ / ZAR7.50)
House #1 (Consists of two units) @ ZAR1000 per person per night (US$133)! With a minimum booking of 7 nights! Though this looks like a decent place to stay, it ONLY offers a breakfast – at that price? I’d have thought they had taps of gold and complimentary satin slippers! Also, you don’t have your own space – you will have to share the unit with 5 or 6 other people.
Another example of a grand rip-off is this B&B which charges ZAR1300 per person sharing, for their most expensive room. That’s US$173 per person per night!! I checked their normal rates which you would pay any other time except during the World Cup, and its only ZAR300 (US$40) The difference is insane!!!
Self Catering Chalets @ US$300 for international guests, but for South African citizens, it’s a mere ZAR900 (US$120). Though this price is for the whole chalet (sleeping either 4 or 6 persons) At four person, that would mean you pay US$75 per person. Mmm… maybe there’s a reason why international guests are charged more than double, but I can’t think of any?
The Best Offer I could find, A full house @ ZAR4500 for the WHOLE house, which sleeps 10 people. That is roughly US$600 for the whole house, and if you can find 9 people to share with you, that would mean you pay US$60 per person, which is not too bad.
Now I know there’s always been the stigma in South Africa that you can overcharge international guests, especially if they’re American or European, but I don’t think it’s necessary to triple charge someone just because they have the money. These tourists will already be bringing in more money into our country, and taking advantage of that just does not seem right.
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thought you & your readers might be interested in a related new documentary, Fair Play, which explain why the ‘95 World Cup was so important to Mandela and the world. Here’s a trailer: http://activevoice.net/haveyouheard_fairplay.html.