South Africa’s bid to host the 2010 World Cup was won a year ago on 15th May 2004, and plans are now well advanced. The province of KwaZulu Natal is already planning for the expansion of its tourism industry. Last week the Msunduzi Tourism Association was launched at the Golden Horse Casino in Pietermaritzburg, about 45 minutes by road from Durban. Even closer to Durban, just 20 minutes away, the Sibaya Casino is to be extended as part of a master plan for five new boutique hotels, apartments, housing and retail developments.

Pietermaritzburg is often overlooked by tourists on their way to Durban. The new Tourism Association is determined to see that the city gets some of the visitor dollars by developing the heritage and freedom routes in the area, which offer both township and rural aspects. On 16 June the 80th Annual Comrades Marathon will be run between Pietermaritzburg and Durban, arguably the world’s greatest ultramarathon of 54 miles (89 km). The first race was in May 1921 as a living memorial to the spirit of soldiers in WW1 but there was no race during the WWII years. The start of the race alternates each year between the two cities, and the 2005 Comrades Marathon will begin in Pietermaritzburg.

Sibaya Casino was opened last December in a region of ecological importance, the area is rich in flora and fauna in its indigenous forests and flood plains. The new development, which will cover no more than 15% of the land area, should create 10,000 permanent positions and temporary employment for up to 56,000. Formerly much of the land was used for growing sugar cane but developing the land around the Sibaya Casino is estimated to bring in around another R4 billion ($630 million) in investment, having already brought over twice as much to the north Durban area.

Even before the first ball is kicked in the World Cup 2010, thousands of tourists are expected to visit South Africa. The influx of people for football’s most important tournament will probably be unprecedented, but the tourist organizations and all those involved in the hospitality sector – including the casinos – expect to be well prepared. (E-05.17.05)

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