9 out 10 World Cup tourists will recommend South Africa

Nine out of 10 foreign visitors in South Africa for the World Cup will recommend the country to family and friends as an ideal holiday destination, according to a survey released on Friday.

Fireworks explode over the Soccer City stadium during celebrations after the 2010 World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg.
Fireworks explode over the Soccer City stadium during celebrations after the 2010 World Cup final soccer match between the Netherlands and Spain in Johannesburg.

A total of 722 tourists were interviewed in Johannesburg, Cape Town, Durban and Pretoria, African Response, the company that conducted the survey, said in a statement.

It investigated perceptions of the various elements of the South African experience, including roads, accommodation, stadia, policing and safety.

"Post World Cup press has been very positive about the success of the tournament and its implications for tourism and foreign investment. It is very pleasing to see our survey confirming this view," said the company's managing director Beatrice Kubheka.

The company had been tracking the perceptions of readiness leading up to the 2010 World Cup since 2006 and witnessed doubt slowly becoming confidence as the kick-off approached.

"But having 92 percent of visitors saying that they would recommend South Africa as a destination is more than [what] we bargained for and [it] is great news for our future," she said.

- timeslive.co.za