World Cup draw prompts fans to sort South African visas and travel plans
December 07 2009 by Liam Clifford
South African immigration expect a deluge of visa applications from England supporters following favourable draw.
Following the World Cup draws, which saw England draw
favourably against the USA, Slovenia and Algeria, thousands of fans have begun
desperately trying to get their hands on one of few package deals available
through travel agents.
Travel agents Tui Travel Sport and Thomas Cook
Sport have already sold out of their packages that include all England matches
and the World Cup final. The race is now on to snap up one of the packages being
offered by the travel agents that include the first three group stage
matches.
The logistics for any England fan travelling to South Africa in
summer 2010 are likely to be complex. Although British passport holders do not
need a South African visa to attend the tournament, booking a DIY trip to the
three cities hosting the opening three England matches is likely to cause many
fans a headache.
Tui Travel Sport’s Darren Mee said, “Do-it-yourself
trips are going to be very, very difficult.”
“With South Africa it is
more complicated,” he added.
A huge number of football fans are expected
to descend on South Africa during the tournament and accommodation is likely to
be in huge demand. So much so that Tui Travel, which is also selling packages to
Australia, has hired a Durban cricket pitch to act as a make-shift campsite for
Australian fans.
The general message is don’t try to go it alone as it's
unlikely you’ll find a place to stay or get booked on a flight. Travelling
around South Africa, if you do get there, will be even more
problematic.
South African immigration authorities have been taking
measures over the last few months to increase security at their airports. They
hope the measures will prevent people using the opportunity of the World Cup to
move to South Africa illegally.
See the latest Immigration News
