Survey on World Cup accommodation bookings

According to the publication, Cape Town Tourism has added the survey form to its website for its members to complete but it has had no response from Johannesburg Tourism Company, Tourism KZN or others.

Current results:

• 16% are contracted to MATCH (FIFA's accommodation agency) or other tour wholesalers
  
• 67% are charging more than their current peak season rates
  
• 10% are charging more than 100% higher than their current peak season rates
  
• 55% have not received any bookings yet, although there have been some enquiries

On the question of SA's ability to host the event and leave a lasting legacy:

• 18% answered the question with 10/10
  
• 72.5% gave 7/10 or higher
  
• 8.7% answered 4/10 or lower

Subjective opinions:

• those charging standard rates are seeing more bookings
  
• While Cape Town seems to have the reputation for charging the highest rates, Durban/KZN currently demonstrate most responses charging 200%+ more than standard rates
  
• Country areas wonder if they will see a spin-off from World Cup.
  
• 24% have not started marketing yet and seem most ambivalent about what rates to charge
  
• Excessive rates may not be possible, as many foreign tour operators are expecting rates to drop a few months from now

Supporting rural areas' marketing

CapeInfo is going to be expanding all content, especially rural in the coming months with advice for fans. Tourism authorities don't seem to be doing enough in this regard and the only initiative it is aware of is Cape Town Routes Unlimited's ‘Beyond the 90 Minutes' campaign, but its Alexa traffic rank has dropped over one million places since the Final Draw.

Prince Albert in the Karoo got its members to respond to the survey and the website will make a special effort to bring this fascinating dorp to the attention of fans who want to explore SA.

To participate in the survey, see: http://capeinfo.com/world-cup-accommodation-tracking-survey-01-10