At the World Travel Market 2008, in London in November last year, South Africa made an impressive presentation on the preparations underway for the FIFA football World Cup that they will be hosting in 2010. Apart from an infrastructure status report which informed that there had been 'amazing progress' in construction and over 60% was already complete, the presentation and discussions focused on the 'real benefits off the field' for the country. The opportunities that the Games would create had tourism, investment and employment on top of the list.

focused on the 'real benefits off the field' for the country. The opportunities that the Games would create had tourism, investment and employment on top of the list.
South Africa has already put into place its tourism programmes. They expect an additional half a million tourists and have built 35 new hotels. Hospitality packages for the Games have been finalised so that they showcase the richness of the country along with offering hotels and tickets for the matches. These range from $380 to $6000 and include options for 'onsite' or full hospitality. Travel agents and tour operators have been empanelled and exclusive sales agents appointed for official hospitality packages.
South Africa will issue special 'event' visas. They do not expect the 'markets turmoil' to affect the event as the weakening of their currency has made it a cheaper destination for those who pay in European currencies. An additional police force has been trained and 41,5000 jobs created. It is proposed to lease out stadiums for operation and ensure eating and shopping facilities around them.
The Tourism leaders of the country told 'Outbound International' that they expect the Games to increase their tourism figures by at least 15%.

South Africa has some problems similar to India who is hosting the Commonwealth Games in the same year. They have price escalation worries, labour unrest and political infighting. However they are on target with their preparations and their marketing. Tickets worth millions have already been sold to corporates and 2 million tickets are on sale through the websites and retailers since January 2009.

Commonwealth Games

The Commonwealth Games in Delhi, India, will be held

in October 2010. The website talks of plans for a Games Village and 5 new stadiums but implementation still has to be done. An expenditure of over Rs. 37 billion has been estimated.
There is, however, no talk of any concrete measures to use this event to promote tourism or earnings 'off the fields'. There was no reference to the event during the WTM in London, nor were the Indian operators there aware of any programmes or packages being formulated by the policy makers. There were no marketing efforts or publicity for the event and the opportunity to showcase India to the expected visitors was lost. So far, the website does not give any tourism information or details of official agents or tour packages. We have seen no brochures, posters or advertisements inviting the world to the Games or giving details of the investment and tourism opportunities in India.

It is time for us to take some lessons from South Africa and other countries and focus on the benefits the Commonwealth Games could bring for tourism and use international travel marts and forums to create an awareness and interest in the event or it may be too late.