2010 Football World Cup focus at Euro 2008

The international spotlight was firmly fixed on South Africa on Tuesday at two media events at Euro 2008 in Vienna Austria, where the world's media interrogated every facet of South Africa's readiness for 2010.

The first event was an exclusive CNN face-off with SA LOC CEO Danny Jordaan, Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi, a FIFA representative as well as Moeketsi Mosola, CEO of SA Tourism and acting CEO of the International Marketing Council.

The second was an evening media cocktail event that included discussions about the emergence of the African player, 2010 as a catalyst for the transformation of African football as well as the preparation, legacy and work that lies ahead for 2010.

South African Tourism chief executive officer, Moeketsi Mosola, spoke to the world's journalists about the South African tourism industry's state of readiness for 2010; the legacy of 2010 for the nation and for the industry; and fears around safety and security that were impacting negatively on the industry.

He was joined by a range of other distinguished speakers and panellists including footballers Lucas Radebe, Emmanuel Adebayor, Samuel Eto'o, Kalusha Bwalya and Mark Fish; Deputy Finance Minister Jabu Moleketi; 2010 LOC Chairman, Irvin Khoza; Michel Platini (UEFA President), ISAA Hayatou (CAF President); South African Minister of Sport, Makhenkesi Stofile; and Hans Klaus, FIFA Communications Director.

"We recognise the challenge that crime poses not only to our visitors, but to all South Africans," said Mosola.

"We fully support the national government in its efforts to fight crime and we work closely with the global travel trade to keep tourists realistically informed about crime.

"The nation is investing heavily in crime-curtailing strategies and mechanisms. We are determined to get the better of the criminals."

The South African tourism industry is excited about the 2010 tournament and it is equipped to deliver both the accommodation and the experiences that have made South Africa a world-class holiday destination," Mosola told media delegates to the event.

"We confidently expect 10 million foreign arrivals in South Africa come 2010," he said.

"Of those, no more than 500,000 will come specifically for the World Cup. This is an industry that is capable, that has good infrastructure and that is exceedingly excited about 2010. For us, the big event starts in 2009 with the Confederations Cup. We will be fully prepared by 2009 already.

"2010 will augment, not define, the success of South Africa's travel and tourism industry."

Through MATCH and the Tourism Grading Council close to 40,000 graded rooms have already been procured for 2010 and all parties are confident that the required 55,000 graded rooms would be procured in good time for the Championship.

"This would be the first time," Mosola said, that non-hotel accommodation would be graded for a FIFA World CupTM.

This with the specific objective of ensuring that historically disadvantaged people in the industry benefitted from the World Cup, too.

"This event is going to leave an enduring legacy for South Africa and for in the region," Mosola said, giving as examples improved capability in tourism, an improved communication infrastructure, a culture of volunteerism, boosted business capability in numerous sectors, co-operation in conservation and transfronteir parks, and mass mobilisation around sport in general and football in particular, especially at junior level.

Sapa - Worldcupweb.com