This comes after a public tender process undertaken earlier this year, by FIFA's Executive Committee.
Two separate public tenders had been launched for FIFA's hospitality rights for the 2009 to 2011 period (Tender A, including the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa) and for the 2013 to 2014 period (Tender B, including the 2014 FIFA World Cup Brazil).
The three years ahead of the 2010 FIFA World Cup South Africa have opened up about 80,000 job opportunities in the local tourism and hospitality sector.
This is according to a recent skills audit by South Africa's Department of Environmental Affairs and Tourism (DEAT).
The audit indicated that over the next three years, the industry will require about 24,100 cooks and chefs, 23,500 waiters and waitresses, 15,000 cleaners, 7,800 cashiers and 8,000 managerial staff.
FIFA on its official site said the appointment of the hospitality rights holder includes the sales of hospitality packages on an exclusive worldwide basis and the operation of the FIFA Hospitality Programme.
"The rights have been awarded to the best bidder, recognising the world's biggest hospitality rights property,” said FIFA General Secretary Jerome Valcke commented.
“This long-term partnership is giving FIFA sustainable assets and promoting hospitality across all of FIFA's events. FIFA is taking on board the most experienced and competent team to deliver high-quality services."
MATCH Hospitality is based in Zug (Switzerland) with offices in Zurich and Johannesburg and is a subsidiary of Byrom Holdings plc (Byrom).
Infront Sports & Media AG (Infront) is joining Byrom as a shareholder of MATCH Hospitality and there will shortly be an announcement of another major company with a long-standing and successful relationship with FIFA that will join Byrom and Infront as shareholders of MATCH Hospitality AG.
"MATCH Hospitality is honoured and delighted at the prospect of delivering a great FIFA Hospitality Programme and leaving a lasting legacy for the host nations of these FIFA events,” said Jaime Byrom, Executive Chairman of MATCH Hospitality AG.
“We are confident that with our team of hospitality experts led by Pascal Portes, the company's Chief Operating Officer and Head of Hospitality, we shall deliver an unforgettable FIFA World Cup experience for all parties involved."
The tourism industry is to make up about 12% of the country's Gross Domestic Product (GDP) by the time the 2010 FIFA World Cup comes around, according to SA Tourism.
The industry currently contributes about 8.2% of the national GDP, which is a R79 billion contribution.
According to SA Tourism, on a monthly basis the country already deals with 650,000 travellers.
The body is expecting about 450,000 international travellers in the space of six weeks during the 2010 FIFA World Cup.
Article published courtesy of BuaNews
