FIFA World Cup + Tourism = Economic Boost

While tourism is considered to be one of the fastest growing and most likely to succeed industry in the world, sports tourism contributes about 600 billion dollars a year to the tourism industry.

When talking about sports tourism, what better place to start with than the FIFA World Cup?

The FIFA World Cup brings out what is best in certain cultures and attracts tourism like an ultraviolet light attracts flies. Take for example the 2006 World Cup, which was hosted by the European nation of Germany. Considering that the Germans are known for their ability to guzzle down large quantities of beer, it is obvious that beer sellers would jump on the opportunity to heavily attack the tourist with their tasty product during the popular summer event.

“The World Cup no doubt helped push up beer consumption in Germany.  Overall, Germans consumed a total of 92 million hectoliters (2.43 billion gallons) of beer, which was 0.5 million more than in 2005, according to the Federal Statistics Office. It was the first annual increase since 1999 following a declining trend in imbibing the golden ale.

Domestic and foreign tourists coming for the games also spent 500 million Euros on goods and services, and temporarily boosted occupancy rates in hotels.” (Oliver Samson)

This beautiful game of football, which is a lot of times referred to as “soccer” by the “Yanks” is known for contributing heavily to the global economy but most importantly it does wonders to a local economy:

During the 1994 World Cup, the United States of America had the privilege of hosting its first major soccer event. Considering the fact that the sport of soccer has been overshadowed by more popular sports such as basketball, baseball and football, the World Cup was very successful and contributed greatly to the economy during the summer of 1994 due to the impact of tourism.

“In Los Angeles, the site of the final, which was played at the infamous Rose Bowl, there was a total economic profit of 623 million dollars that went directly into the metropolitan economy. In order for one to better understand this figure, in comparison of that same year the Super Bowl only accounted for 182 million dollars” (Nodell)

As previously stated, the FIFA World Cup brings out what is best in certain cultures.  Dr. Danny Jordaan, the CEO of 2010 FIFA World Cup Organizing Committee South Africa said it best during the World Travel Market conference in London when he said, “I know you know the one South African who is very warm and hospitable in the person of Nelson Mandela. But come and discover the other 47 million South Africans who are also warm and hospitable”

With the 2010 World Cup less than a year away, the first ever African World Cup should attract tourist from all over the world.

Dr. Jordaan goes on to say that “We have more than enough accommodation for all the fans and tourists that will visit our country next year. As well as the hotels (including more than 30 new world class facilities) there will also be low-cost bed and breakfast as well as student accommodation options available,” said Jordaan, adding that, “during Germany 2006 you could see the British fans camping in every available open space, from the train stations to camp sites.”

“We are more than ready to host all the fans during the 2010 World Cup and hopefully thereafter they will return as tourists without their teams. This World Cup will offer visitors a chance to explore the country's attractions and major tourism spots and allow the world to get to know and appreciate South Africa and the continent better.”

One major thing that will help tourist to get a full experience of the beautiful nation of South Africa is that this time during the group stages of the tournament teams will never play in the same stadium twice meaning that fans will get to see and experience at least two of South Africa’s diverse nine host cities and more if their team progresses.

This will also help local business’s get a boost in their profits as hotels, restaurants and other major accommodations will be needed in order to hospitably welcome fans and tourist from all over the world.

Being an avid soccer player and a fanatic of the beautiful game, I hope that with years to come the most popular sport in the world: football (soccer) will not only contribute to the tourism industry, but also continue to bring nations and people together, with the efforts of eliminating racism and close social gaps. But in the mean time, as us Brazilians always say…"Joga Bonito"



Raphael Guimarães