By Stuart Alderson-Smith
In what can only be seen as good news for cash-strapped football fans, it was announced today that owners of hotels and bed and breakfast
establishments along the Garden Route
have promised to not rip tourists off.
These establishments
in George and Knysna are part of FIFA's
Matchville - FIFA's accommodation
nodes set up to ensure that loyal fans are able to follow their teams around
the country over the course of the tournament.
The establishments
have announced that they will not follow the growing trend of raising prices exorbitantly over the
month-long period, but will instead simply charge
flat-rate peak season charges.
This follows a rather
stern warning from local tourism authorities to not hike prices, as well as the
decision by Match, FIFA's official hospitality partner, to release 65 000 room nights in the province. The
rooms were released due to a lack of demand and after receiving fewer bookings than expected.
As reported
on IOL, Knysna tourism head Shaun van Eck said the organisation suggested
that establishments use summer rates during the World Cup.
"However, many
establishments are sticking to their winter rates for the whole period,"
he said.
Transport
Centre
In a separate IOL
article this week, it was reported that a transport call centre is going to
be set up before the World Cup kicks off. It will serve as a central hub for
co-ordinating all aspects pertaining to transportation
According to
Transport Minister Sbu Ndebele, "The centre will provide live, real-time
information that will also facilitate quick decision-making and responses to
incidents."
This call centre,
along with a website, will enable travellers to get information related to
transport. The centre would ensure foreign visitors to the country could get up
to date travel information which would allow them to adequately plan their
trips.
It was reported that
Ndebele said the centre would continue operating after the tournament, one of
the government's efforts to use the World Cup to build a lasting legacy.
Useful 2010 World Cup
accommodation links