Media Release: SANParks unveils its 2010 FIFA World Cup Plan at Indaba 2009
The country’s body charged with the management of a system of national parks which represents the indigenous fauna, flora, landscape and associated cultural heritage of the country, South African National Parks, (SANParks), has unveiled its 2010 FIFA World Cup plan at a media function this morning.
This according to SANPark’s Managing Executive Tourism and Marketing, Glenn Phillips, who said we hope this, will give confidence to many of those skeptical that South Africa readiness for the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup is at stake.
Speaking at the South Africa’s premier tourism showcase, Indaba held at the iNkosi Albert Luthuli International Convention Centre in Durban, Phillips said our message to the world is that SANParks is on track to deliver the goods.
"For us this event is more than sport”, said Phillips as he shed light on SANPark’s ongoing preparations for the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
"According to Phillips, SANParks plans for the tournament are based on three principles which will ensure a sustainable business way beyond the World Cup. “At the onset our strategy is all about sustainable development, secondly we would like to see optimal occupancy in all national parks over the event period, and key to this is the retention of our committed client base as the event falls during the extended school holidays.”
“It is against this background that we took a decision to contract according to the 30 percent principle and 70 percent will be reserved for the general public.”
He said the Kruger National Park has dedicated three of its camps to the event and these are Skukuza, Berg en Dal and Pretoriuskop. New mobile tented products within above camps at Kruger National Parks will also be utilized. This will add an additional 420 beds to the inventory contacted for 2010. “The tents will be used as a conduit to address the legacy issue – as they will be used to provide additional inventory to parks in other locations around the country that lack sufficient accommodation inventory during high season or specific events such as the flower season in Namaqua National Park.”
“The exciting part with 2010 is that approximately 15 000 people will be introduced to the national parks. We want to use this event to optimize marketing opportunities, while we continue to build our brand.”
Phillips went on to mention the details of the contract with MATCH, a professional services company selected by FIFA to provide ticketing, accommodation and event information technology during the 2010 World Cup event in South Africa.
“If all goes according to plan, it means the value of inventory sold to MATCH per day is in the region of R1.4 million and this over the event period will amount to an impressive R 52.5 million based on two people per unit inclusive of dinner, bed and breakfast and activity.”
Other contracted parks closer to the World Cup matches are Addo Elephant National Park, Garden Route National Park which incorporates formerly Wilderness, Tsitsikamma and the Knysna Lake Area, Marakele, and Golden Gate Highlands National Parks.
For more information visit
www.sanparks.org
