World Cup will put a strain on travelling

WHILE massive economic benefits are expected from the World Cup, business travellers could find themselves grounded as preparations for the football showpiece, and a diary crammed with events and public holidays, are set to congest highways, crowd airports and overfill flights.

Although the World Cup kicks off on June 11, the calendar between March and July 11, when the competition ends, promises to be jammed with pre- and post-arrangements impacting heavily on business travel and trade.

And six public holidays - Human Rights Day, Good Friday, Family Day, Freedom Day, Workers' Day and Youth Day - will slow the already stressed economy.

Extended school holidays in March, June and July, the Cape Argus cycle race, the Comrades Marathon, the Cape Epic, the Two Oceans marathon and the Grahamstown Festival are likely to add to the demand on roads and airports and interrupt business routines.

It is believed the historic Durban July horse race will be held at the end of the month rather than on the traditional first Saturday in July. The House and Garden show has already been rescheduled for the beginning of August. The Mr Price Pro Ballito surfing competition will be in July as scheduled, with more than 150 international surfers expected to join the thousands of tourists jetting into the country for the World Cup.

Carlos Esteves, of the eThekwini municipality's transport authority, says Durban should expect an influx of about 100 000 people 12 to 24 hours ahead of the seven matches scheduled for the Moses Mabhida stadium.

South African Airways spokeswoman Vimla Maistry said the airline would release 2010 price structures and flight schedules only after the December 4 World Cup draw. She cautioned those wanting to travel over the World Cup period that airports would be busier than usual, adding to travel stress.

In a document released recently to create awareness of probable business travel restrictions during the World Cup, Fifa advised that travel should be suspended during the event unless it was critical. Trips should be planned well in advance and ticket changes during the period would be difficult and expensive. The document suggested that travellers should give themselves two to three hours to get to airports as roads would be congested and chaotic.

"Plan for delays," it said.

Parking at airports would be difficult to find and rental cars would be scarce.

Caroline Lanning, of Budget car hire, said: "We will have extra cars to meet the demand. However, in some locations, there will be times when cars will not be available."