South African tourism increased by half during World Cup in June, a usually low tourism season

SAfrican tourism increased by half at World Cup

JOHANNESBURG — The South African government says that the country’s hotel industry saw a World Cup increase in business of more than 50 percent.

The government statistics department said Monday that in June 2010 there was a 55.3 percent increase in income earned by the accommodation industry compared to June 2009.

Hotels charged high season prices during the World Cup throughout June, which is winter and a low tourism season in South Africa.

South Africa was the first country on Africa’s continent to host the World Cup which ran from June 11 to July 11.