1 Million Fans in South Africa
07/07/10
The numbers have been overestimated, underestimated, and everything in between, but now the Department of Home Affairs has announced that more than one million soccer fans have streamed into South Africa for the World Cup tournament in the last month. Their Movement Control System has allowed them to track the number of visitors, and also keep track of their movements in South Africa as the tournament progresses. The 1,020,321 visitors represent a 25% increase from tourist numbers last year.
In addition, 188 people have been flagged as 'undesirable' and prevented from entering the country due to possession of false documents like passports, visas and permits, or failure to meet immigration requirements.
The most visitors had been recorded from neighbouring countries Lesotho, Zimbabwe, Mozambique, Swaziland, Botswana, Malalwi and Zambia; followed by tourists fromother parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, US, Germany, Australia, Brazil and Mexico.
Durban's scenic beachfront Fan Fest has been the most popular destination for soccer fans, drawing more than 200,000 people in the first six days of the tournament alone.
