As time nears for the 2010 FIFA world cup, host South Africa are hoping the tournament will leave a lasting legacy on the southern nation. With an estimated 483,000 people expected to visit the country, the government has already shown a major commitment to infrastructure development programs, because the tournament prompted construction and refurbishment of the dilapidated structures. With visitors from all over the world coming for the soccer fanfare the country will get a significant boost for the local tourism industry and other sectors of the economy.
The millions of visitors expected to pour into the country for world cup will boost opportunities in accommodation, health provision services, travel services, short-term insurance, event management entertainment as well and arts and crafts. The tens of thousands of jobs that were already created for the preparation of world cup and over 4000 volunteers that are expected to help during the world cup makes the country at a great stake of reaping great in this event. The world cup is seen as a catalyst of the construction of around 25 new hotels in the last couple of years. As part of the 2010 world cup legacy program, a total of 27 one star football turfs are to be built in rural and township areas all around South Africa. All these proposed facilities are to be built with synthetic surface that reduces the cost of upkeep on a continual basis. Hosting world football will leave a lasting soccer legacy in South Africa.
Economically, the word cup will contribute approximately $6.8b to the South African economy, generate 415,000 jobs and contribute $2.3b in tax income to the government. The research findings done so far indicate that 483,257 tourists will spend $1b in total during their stay in South Africa. Despite the global economic meltdown, the tournament will not be badly affected. By the end of July 2009, a great demand of tickets has already been shown; countries like Japan, Korea and USA have already advanced a huge interest for tickets because of their good show in the Confederations cup. USA requested for 93,000 tickets, UK requested for 220,000, South Africa has been allocated 240,000 while the rest of the world will have to share 800,000 tickets.