South Africa was awarded the honour to host the biggest event in sport. A lot has been said about the benefits of South Africa hosting the 2010 soccer world cup but in some instances the information has been over-zealous and misleading.

Grant Thornton's tourism, hospitality and leisure consulting group conducted the economic impact assessment which formed part of the SAFA bid documentation. Although the news is all good, these are some key facts you should be aware of:

• The gross contribution to GDP of R21.3 billion over the pre-event and event period, includes direct expenditure of R12.7 billion plus the multiplier effect of the total indirect impact on the rest of the South African economy. Of this, a significant portion will be an addition to GDP in the year of the event.· All figures quoted are in inflated 2010 terms.

• Although 2.72 million tickets will be sold, this is not the amount of tourists expected in South Africa.This figure is split over local and foreign spectators, all of whom will watch more than one match. The economic impact is based on 190 000 overseas visitors watching four matches each and 43 000 African visitors watching three matches each. In addition 100 000 domestic tourists will watch two matches each and 1.1 million local spectators will watch an average of 1.5 matches each.

• Foreign tourists are not expected to stay for the whole 33 day event so an average stay of 15 days is used in the calculations.

• In addition to the 190 000 overseas spectators, there will also be;

  • 32 teams with an average entourage of 50 people per team
  • 10 500 international mediao 5 000 international VIPs
  • 500 FIFA officials

• South Africa will be able to cope with this number of visitors. The country already receives more than 190 000 overseas visitors as well as 30 000 African air arrivals in peak months.