The direct economic impact of the Presidents Cup on George and surrounding areas will exceed R110-million, excluding the tournament costs, and many long-term benefits are expected as some local and international visitors flock to Fancourt for the week-long event.
Travel, infrastructure, operations, catering, transport, security and entertainment specialist companies with staff numbering more than 400 will comprise the core support team. Crowds of 23 000 a day will converge on The Links at Fancourt and an estimated 19 570 people will require accommodation, transport and daily catering in the immediate George area. All this will translate into a surge in tourism-related activities and golfing requirements.
Host broadcaster and United States television leader, NBC, will beam the event to 25 networks, 120 countries and an estimated viewing audience of more than 800 million people worldwide. Here in South Africa both SABC and SuperSport will carry the event live on all four days of competition.
The State President of South Africa, Thabo Mbeki, will serve as the event's Honorary Chairman and will be joined by other dignitaries such as former South African State Presidents Nelson Mandela and F W de Klerk, former United States President George H W Bush, South African Minister of Sport Ngconde Balfour and a host of other Cabinet Ministers, international Ambassadors and VIPs.
Corporate support for The Presidents Cup has been quite impressive with more than 55 companies involved in either hospitality and / or event associated affiliation rights deals. Topping the list of corporate hospitality clients are giants such as Daimler Chrysler, SAP and South African Airways. MTN, Guinness UDV, Coca Cola and others are also actively involved.
One result of the event is that the Western Cape Government, City of George and City of Cape Town have joined forces to develop a golf tourism strategy that will be introduced to international media and tour operators during the week of The Presidents Cup.
The outcome of this announcement should signal the beginning of a formal golf tourism strategy for the region and will undoubtedly benefit the currently existing golf estates and golf courses as well as those in development.
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