With the 2010 FIFA World Cup now just around the corner, South Africa is gearing up for the biggest sporting event the continent has even seen.

The soccer tournament is expected to attract an additional 3-million tourists in 2010, taking the estimated number of holidaymakers to 10-million in the year.

The impact of the rise in tourism is huge for the national economy. The tourism industry currently contributes more than 8% to gross domestic product (GDP), but this is expected to rise to more than 12% during the World Cup.

South Africa’s various provinces are hoping to capitalise on the lucrative opportunity the World Cup offers, by promoting the rich cultural and geographical diversity available in the country.

While the traditional hotspots of Cape Town, Johannesburg and Durban will clearly attract sports fans to their stadiums, Limpopo has its own unique pulling power with its abundant natural wildlife.

Limpopo Boasts Unsurpassed Culture And Wildlife

Limpopo, home to around two thirds of the Kruger Park, is already a major tourism attraction for the millions of visitors to South Africa each year, wanting to spot the ‘Big Five’ whilst enjoying the unspoilt beauty of the country.

While South Africa attracts many tourists for its abundant wildlife, the rich culture and history of the country also attract its fair share of visitors. The country boasts seven World Heritage Sites, one of which is located in the Limpopo province.

Mapungubwe, which was declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site in 2003, is an Iron Age kingdom in the Limpopo Valley that dates back to between 1000 and 1300 AD. Archaeologists have suggested the sites were once the capitals of mighty African kings.

The area also contains a significant number of San Rock Art sites dating back as much as fifteen thousand years ago.

More recently, however, Polokwane was awarded Host City status for the 2010 FIFA World Cup and is due to host five matches during the tournament. The Peter Mokaba Sports Complex is one of the five stadiums in the country that are being built from scratch to accommodate the tournament.

Following a major refurbishment last year, Polokwane International Airport was re-launched at the end of 2008, and now has the ability to cope with the expected influx of tourists to the region.

The strategic location of the airport not only provides visitors with a convenient route to the Kruger Park and the many cultural and historical sites in Limpopo, but also easy access to the wider southern African region.

For tourists that do want to venture further afield into Africa, Polokwane International Airport, the province’s main airport, provides easy access to Zambia, Zimbabwe and the white beaches of Mozambique.

VIP treatment for Polokwane Airport

The airport, which previously handled about 50,000 passengers a year, has been expanded to cope with 200,000 per year, and now has the capacity for two more airliners.

Alongside the new facilities is a new terminal building that has two VIP lounges and a boardroom; the Aero City which is equipped with a selection of civil and electrical projects; and an upgraded parking area with refurbished pedestrian walkways.

The next phase in Polokwane International’s development is expected to be the creation of an airport business park with retail facilities, warehousing, hangars, a commercial park and a 4 star hotel and exhibition centre. 

For more information on Polokwane International Airport contact its parent company, Gateway Airports Authority Limited (GAAL):
Name: Sipho Mthombeni, CEO of GAAL
Email: siphogm@gmail.com
Tel: +27 15 288 0122