A recent survey conducted by by CapeInfo and affirmed by the Western Cape’s destination marketing organisation Cape Town Routes Unlimited amongst the local accommodation industry, has found that almost 50% of Cape Town’s accommodation establishments have been booked out for the 2010 FIFA World Cup. Due to the expected numbers being much less than anticipated, many hotels and other establishments had changed their pricing approach from seeking above peak season rates to normal peak season rates or lower.
The survey found that 46% of Cape Town’s hotels, guesthouses, B&Bs and self-catering accommodations were fully booked for the month of June, compared with 38% for the same period last year and 57% in 2008. Hotels received the most bookings, followed by guesthouses and self-catering accommodation. Naturally the suburbs closer to the stadium, in the city surrounds, and along the Atlantic Seaboard have proved to be the most popular. It has been fund that there has generally been an increase in occupation compared to a normal winter season. One thing is very clear from the survey , and that is the bonanza that the accommodation industry had expected will not materialize. Good news for visitors for the World Cup 2010 is that you can now obtain affordable accommodation in Cape Town.
Lower Accommodation Prices
According to CapeInfo’s April 2010 survey, the hospitality industry has been compelled to adapt a more reasonable pricing approach. A total of 45% are now charging the same or less than current peak season rates, compared with 26% in January this year, with 12% charging their usual off-peak rates compared to January’s 6%.
Alan Winde, Western Cape Minister for Finance, Economic Development and Tourism: stated “Almost two thirds of expected World Cup visitors said that they would be heading to Cape Town. To them and others we want to say: we have a variety of affordable accommodation available for you – from five-star right through to backpackers – and a million ways to make the most of the game.
“With matches at the Cape Town Stadium almost sold out, visitors can catch the Cape carnival atmosphere for free at the FIFA Fan Fest™ with Table Mountain as their backdrop, or they can match-crawl the rest of the city’s public viewing areas for a jol with the locals. Between the games, we have a colourful mix of tourist attractions and activities available for international visitors as well as our domestic travellers to make part of their World Cup memories.”
Look to the Southern Peninsula
An informal survey was recently conducted amongst the members of the Noordhoek Tourism Association and it was found that very few bookings had been received for accommodation in this beautiful coastal valley lying at the foot of the Table Mountain range and facing a wonderful beach with 7 km of pristine white sand. Noordhoek is known as Cape Town's best kept “ secret destination”. It is a country village where most properties are zoned agricultural and where conservation is a concern of all residents. The large properties, where many keep horses, make this unique in the Cape Town area. Visitors looking for affordable accommodation in a restful village suburb will find plenty of choice at prices much lower than they can expect to pay closer to the city. Those who will be attending matches in the stadium can enjoy a spectacular drive to the city on Chapman’s Peak drive- said to be one of the most beautiful coastal, scenic drives in the world. Noordhoek lies right at the start of Chapman’s Peak drive ; just a 30 minute drive from the stadium.
Horizon Holiday Cottages in Noordhoek, which offers self catering family cottages in studio Cabanas, has decided to slash their prices by 50% for visitors who stay for 4 days or more during the World Cup in order to encourage people to get to know Noordhoek and the attractions of the Southern Peninsula. Contact them for reservations or further information.
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