World Cup Kicks Goals for South African Tourism and Society, Says Leading African Travel Specialist

Brisbane, Australia, July 20, 2010 --(PR.com)-- Soccer is not known as 'The World Game' facetiously. According to the African travel specialists at Encompass Africa, the 2010 World Cup in South Africa has had an unprecedented effect on society and national identity. While the economic benefits continue to be debated, Encompass Africa's tourism experts believe that the social benefits could far outweigh the monetary.

The African travel experts at Encompass Africa, a customized African tourism company, are predicting increased tourism and a range of social benefits following the 2010 World Cup.

While debate rages about the true economic benefit to the nation, the staging of the World Cup in South Africa has been estimated to:

Have pumped around R93 billion into the local economy
Encourage billions of dollars of foreign investment into the country in the near future
Push crime in South Africa to record low periods during the playing period
Have created over 400,000 jobs in South Africa

Jonathon Wilson, director of Encompass Africa safaris and tours, conveyed a sense of how important the World Cup has been to South African society and national identity.

"South Africans ... experienced a sense of community as never before", said Mr Wilson.

"White South Africans used public transport for the first time, South Africans identified with the African continent for the first time as they supported Ghana through to the quarter finals, people talked to each other using the words “we” and “us,” shared food, blankets, viewing experiences and a newly discovered love for the game," he continued.

Nor are the benefits limited to South Africa itself. Mr Wilson believes that "the knock on effects will be felt throughout Southern Africa. Most tourists to the region will visit more than one country during their African Safari." Pre- and post-World Cup these 'knock on effects' have already been seen, with many tourists opting to extend their holiday to see other African nations.

A better idea of the tourism impact in numbers will be available after the Christmas holiday period's peak tourism season. Encompass Africa is encouraging travelers to see South Africa and the rest of the subcontinent in the cooler and quieter periods of March-May and November.

About Encompass Africa:

The essence of Encompass Africa is to provide a complete African travel solution. The company designs African safari holidays and adventures tailored to meet the expectations, time and budget of anyone searching for a truly authentic and exceptional African safari experience.

Encompass Africa creates completely tailored experiences using unrivalled knowledge, creative thinking, passion and years of industry experience (not to mention our network of partners throughout Africa), they handpick the best lodges, camps, guides and wilderness areas to create an itinerary that reveals Africa’s secrets and takes you to places other travel companies only dream about.

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