SA's World Cup welcome suffers from shortage of hotels

South Africa on Friday promised England fans a warm welcome at the 2010 World Cup but fears persist over a high crime rate, extortionate hotel prices and inadequate public transport. As the scramble for flights, accommodation and match tickets began in earnest, visitors were urged to use official tour operators and beware scams. The local World Cup organising committee insisted that all fans were welcome and space would be found for everyone.

Fifa's accommodation agency is believed to be facing a deficit of 9 000 hotel rooms for the half-million international visitors expected. Thirty-five hotels are being built and space has even been booked in neighbouring countries including Mauritius, which would entail a 17-hour round trip to see one match.

Prices for hotels and guest houses in the smaller host cities have already rocketed by up to five times. Rates vary from R1 000 to R30 000 per night, with luxury suites rising to R49 000, the Star newspaper reported. One beach villa was asking R75 000 a night. A shock could also be in store for impulsive fans who pitch up with a tent and hope for the best.

The tournament will take place during the South African winter when temperatures can plunge well below zero at night.Mkhondo said that more than 6 000 hotels had now been officially graded and would be available to supporters. "We have no worries about accommodation at all," he said, although he did acknowledge that fans may face long commutes. "There will be an aviation lift. If, for example, a game is played in Bloemfontein, there will be planes taking off up to midnight to get fans back. There will be some negotiation with the airlines over prices.

But Heidi Holland, an author and owner of the the Melville House hotel in Johannesburg, said: "Accommodation is going be a problem. The organisers are relying a lot on small operators like me. A lot of people have been contacting me asking to stay a few days but my instinct is to hold off for now. People are a little bit at sea."

Source: Mail & Guardian 11 September 2009