Belgrade_Serbia

TTW
32
Sports Tourism: The sports
tourism market in South Africa
was a virgin sector till it
successfully hosted the 1995
Rugby World Cup. At present,
with large number of world-class
venues and supporting
infrastructure, the passion for
sports among local people have
turned the desk around in favor
of the country's sports tourism
industry. South Africa hosted the
Cricket World Cup 2003 and then
the FIFA World Cup 2010 was
revolution for the tourism
industry.
More than 10% of foreign tourists
come to South Africa to watch or
participate in a sport event.
Spectators account for almost
60% to 80% of the tourist arrivals.
Niche Tourism sectors of South Africa:
South Africa also yields through revenue a wide range
of niche tourism like medical tourism, wine tourism
and rural tourism. Wine and gourmet tourism
accounts for a huge tourism revenue for South Africa.
Similarly, medical tourism also supports the tourism
revenue of the country. Most of the medical tourists
come to South Africa for cosmetic surgery. The skilled
medical unit of South Africa also excels in low cost
organ transplants, cardiac, dentistry, orthopedic and
obesity surgery.
The government of South Africa prioritized the
development of rural tourism in the country long time
back. The Department of Tourism and Rural
Development and Land Reform implemented many
strategic measures to allow the rural tourism to grow.
Local economies get a boost from the international
visitors coming to the rural areas of the country.
Development of rural tourism is a sustainable practice
by the South African government that demands
applause from the global tourism industry.