'Events destination': South Africa hope for tourism boost in Manchester United two-date summer tour
South Africa are facing a multi-million Rand bill for hosting Manchester United during their summer tour but are hoping to increase tourism.
The World Cup 2010 hosts will welcome the Reds for two games in July – one against Ajax Cape Town and another versus AmaZulu in Durban.
But the east coast city – who are hoping to host six Africa Cup of Nations games in October – have been hit with R20million costs, nearly R7.5million spent on hosting United.
A report tabled at yesterday’s mayco meeting, the city will pay Primedia Sport R3.5million for organising the event.
A loss of R247,330 from hosting the MTN Football Invitational is expected when United play Ajax Cape Town on July 21.
However, the payment of R3.5million increases the city’s loss to R3,747,330.
Deputy health and social services manager Musa Gumede said: “The province [Durban] has committed to pay R15million, we as the city are proposing to pay R20million.
“The difference, which has not been committed yet, will come from the national government and the local organising committee. We are hoping the former will come up with R14million and the local organising committee will pay the balance.”
Cape Town’s mayco member for tourism Grant Pascoe said that United’s visit would provide huge benefits for tourism.
He said hosting the match was part of the city’s drive to market itself as an ‘events destination’.
The cities will receive 15 per cent of profit on ticket sales and 100 per cent on food and beverage sales.
An open training session will be also be held in Cape Town and 10 000 tickets will be on sale.
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