DigitalSoldier said:
icyrus there are a lot of europeans and americans complaining that the plane tickets in south africa are too expensive compared to their countries
excellent point. The bulk of the Tourists travelling costs will actually be in South Africa - and will tally to almost more than his/her flight to South Africa
Example (Assumptions: Follow my team to 4 stadiums (including Opening Ceremony) - assuming they only make it to the second round (top 16), working on July dates as this gives a more accurate breakdown of travel over a month with short notice bookings) matches are maximum 7 days apart, :. working on 5 day difference between trips, fares are for one adult traveler):
Flight to South Africa:
British Airways, Flight BA0057 Heathrow to JHB, £372 (Departing 4 July - £757.30 Return) Incl all taxes, charges & surcharges (£128.30) [equates to: R4981], Opening Ceremony
Flight From Joburg to Cape Town (Kulula 6 July): R469, CPT Match 1
Flight from CPT to DBN (Kulula 11 July): R799, DBN Match 2
Flight from DBN to JHB (Kulula 16 July: R599) -> connecting to 17 July Airlink Flight to Nelspruit: R402, NELSPRUIT Match 3
Nelspruit to JHB Airlink R403 connecting -> Bloemfontein 1Time R491, Bloemfontein Match 4
Bloemfontein -> Joburg 27 July 1Time R469
From the above we can see that the airfares alone between 4 potential cities for four matches and the opening ceremony comes to (using budget Airlines I might add -
and they will not be able to handle the volumes): R3632 (~ £271)
This excludes all airport transfers, shuttle services, porter costs, flight time meals and airport lounge meals/beverages. The traveller hasn't spent a night in a hotel nor a penny on food, and car rental has not been included.
To rent a Group B (Corolla 1.3, Polo 1.4, etc) car for the entire duration will cost R277.00 Per Day or ~ R6,371.00 for the trip.
So, even though the strong pound/euro/dollar may make it a little more affordable to visit South Africa, the continuous travel is what makes it extremely expensive to touring travellers.
I have also not taken into account:
Hotel/Guest Lodge/etc costs will rise dramatically in time for the world cup
Restaurant costs will rise dramatically in time for the world cup
Airfares will rise dramatically for the world cup (due to availibility, etc), so this will definitely not be the most affordable world cup ever visited by the tourists. By the way, Travel Insurance is *expensive* to visitors of South Africa. Also, I have not taken into account the cost of crime, the medical costs associated with 2 hours subjected to a vuvuzela, the ticket costs to get into the stadium or the food and beverage costs at the stadium.