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The Near Post: December 2009

DECEMBER 2009

Beyond the 90 Minutes in Cape Town & Western Cape

The official 2010 FIFA World Cup™ travel and tourism newsletter for Cape Town and the Western Cape

 
Football fans considering a trip to South Africa for the 2010 FIFA World Cup™ can explore Cape Town and the Western Cape first-hand through a new portfolio of documentary-style fan videos.

Right now, around the world so many football fans are obsessed with where and when their teams will play as we await the Final Draw on 4 December. But the matches themselves make up only a small portion of the time they'll spend in South Africa.
 
To make the most of their World Cup experience, fans will want to go Beyond the 90 Minutes of the matches to discover the amazing diversity of experiences on offer in Cape Town and the Western Cape.

Now football fans making their travel decisions can discover Cape Town and the Western Cape like never before: through the eyes and experiences of fans like them - soccer lovers with similar interests, ages and nationalities - as they plan where to go and what to do Beyond the 90 Minutes.

A trove of new documentary-style short videos tell in 11 languages the actual stories of 20 fans from more than 15 countries as they explore the region for themselves from end to end. Potential visitors will see the actual experiences of real fans travelling to and revelling in the diverse offerings in the destination in the same season of the year as when the tournament will be played. Diving with sharks, riding quad bikes, horses and ostriches, playing golf, enjoying the stunning views, a game of pick-up footie with the locals - these and dozens and dozens of additional experiences have been captured in real time, as they've been enjoyed by fans.

Get to know 'fans like you'


Beyond the video, many of the fans have also shared thoughts and memories of their experiences in blog postings on a dedicated website - reached through www.tourismcapetown.co.za by 'kicking' on the banner for Beyond the 90 Minutes. You can get to know Koji from Japan, see him before, during and after his hectic bungee jump, then read his profound Zen-like take on the experience (here translated from the Japanese that's posted online):

It's not just about the activities but in between lies the rugged landscape, the plain stretching so far, cloud hanging low drifting across the bluest sky like a long distance memory, mountains, rivers, small towns, people, wild animals, the fragrance of the sea, the smell of green and dry dirt, rain and so much more that made this road trip so cool.

And for those who don't take a Zen approach to life, they can meet Daniela from Germany who learned to surf, or Melodie from France game-viewing on horseback, among many others - just check out the 'fans like you' section of the website, to meet other amazing fans from Portugal, USA, UK, UAE, Spain, Angola, Brazil, Australia, and more.

This is all part of an effort to help fans and travellers connect in a more immediate and meaningful way with one another and the destination. Photos are already being posted by fans and travellers to the dedicated Flickr group and fans are connecting with one another - and many of the fans who are in the videos - on Facebook or YouTube to ask questions, talk about where to go and what to do, or just speculate about whether uncalled hand balls in the box will see Les Bleus through the rest of the tournament. Contests, big prize giveaways and other special activities online will keep the energy levels high and encourage fans to make and share their own video documentaries and photos of how they too went Beyond the 90 Minutes.

A number of the fans will be telling the stories of their experiences at events and venues around South Africa over the coming weeks and months, like SoccerEx and the Final Draw, to bring the destination to life for visiting media and others keen to understand what soccer fans really like and discover new angles on the story of the 2010 FIFA World Cup™. There are also a number of "locals" who are telling their stories as well, revealing the inside story about what it's like to live in Cape Town and the Western Cape, and sharing their own perspectives, personalities and pet peeves. These are photographers, dancers, foodies, wine makers and other fascinating local characters who give a direct voice to the textures that make the destination so special. People can "meet the locals" online through photos, profiles and blog postings, or at a number of events alongside the fans, where they will be live and in person.

Big competition


To top this all we are running a competition that will see one lucky winner getting an unbelievable prize to the value of R50 000 in the destination. This will include luxurious accommodation, entrance to iconic attractions, experiences that will range from adrenalin action to some of life's finer things, and also includes wellness, elephant rides and much more. This will be your way to follow on the foot the paths of our fans from across the world who have already gone Beyond the 90 Minutes.

enter competition »


Special offers


We've gathered dozens of special offers for fans travelling to Cape Town and the Western Cape, and you don't have to wait for the FIFA World Cup™ to take advantage!

Offer of the month for December: Glide through the forest in the Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tour – new from 1 December, so be the first to take advantage!

more special offers »

Great travel ideas


Cheer a Killer Pass On and Off the Field

When you've seen enough killer passes in the stadium, we have a few more to offer off the pitch. The Swartberg Pass, one of the most spectacular in the world, is a dramatic, challenging mountain pass that leads from Oudtshoorn, home of the Ostrich Farms to the charming hamlet of Prince Albert. Built by the famous Thomas Bain over a century ago, the 27km pass twists and turns like a snake, zig zagging over the summit.

And if one killer pass is not enough, there's plenty more nearby. For an awe-inspiring experience drive through de Rust and Meiringspoort, passing soaring cliff walls with spectacular rock formations and crossing the Groot River 25 times. The road is a remarkable engineering feat, but the overwhelming features of Meiringspoort are the wonders of nature. The folds of the sandstone strata tower above the road, constantly changing colour as you move through sunlight and shade.

Tradouw's Pass, Hex River Pass, Sir Lowry's Pass - this place is full of killer passes and obvious to any adventurous soccer fan that it's road trip heaven.

Learn all about what to see, where to go, and how natural beauty can enhance the football experience on the Beyond the 90 Minutes website, or check out the other five custom itineraries.

view itineraries »

Finally, if you're in the tourism industry or part of the media, we’ve developed special opportunities for you to participate, gain inside access to our fans and locals, open up new story angles and benefit from all the campaign activities happening on a global scale over the next 12 months. Check out the dedicated Trade and Media sections on the website for more info.

To receive future editions of this newsletter, enter your e-mail address in the subscribe box at the top of any page of the campaign website and 'kick' the submit button.


Previous newsletters
- The Near Post: September 2009 »
special offers
Birkenhead Estate & Brewery, Stanford, Walkers Bay Wines. For all the wine lovers, come and enjoy Walker Bay's superb wines ranging form rosè, white and red wines. more...
Lord Neethling Restaurant. A free glass of wine with any main course. more...
Tsitsikamma Treetop Canopy Tours. R 405.00 per person, including a light lunch Imagine the Tsitsikamma Forest… 30 meters above, as you gently glide on 10 slides to 10 platforms high up in Giant trees! more...
fans like you

Follow four twenty-somethings, Pablo (Argentina), Muri (Brazil), Andre (Brazil) and Charline (France), up the Cape West Coast and into the Cape Winelands as these four friends enjoy culture, kayaking, cuisine and make the memories of a lifetime.  meet all the fans!