The World Cup is set to boost the number of Britons taking holidays in South Africa, according to ABTA – The Travel Association.
South Africa should brace itself for a massive influx of British tourists next summer, with ABTA expecting visitor numbers to “go through the roof”.
People booking holidays to South Africa at this time of year are attracted by the hot climate of the southern hemisphere, making the country a popular choice with long-haul holidaymakers.
Sean Tipton, spokesperson for ABTA, commented: “There’s around about 650,000 [British tourists visiting South Africa] a year but with the World Cup, that’s going to go through the roof next year.”
Statistics released by the International Currency Exchange (ICE) earlier this month indicate that holidaymakers are planning for their South African breaks early, with orders for the South African rand up by 441 per cent.
Looking to the more immediate holiday season, Mr Tipton said that ABTA expects Egypt to remain a popular destination for tourists seeking out some winter sun, while those looking for a more traditional winter break are likely to stay closer to home and visit a European destination such as Austria.
Written by Alex Cochrane