Visitors’ perceptions of environmental impacts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup: Comparisons between Cape Town and Durban

Abstract

While a neglected area of research, the environmental impacts of hosting mega events have increasingly been highlighted with a focus on the carbon footprint of mega events and the notion of the greening of events. This article examines visitor perceptions of environmental impacts of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in Durban and Cape Town, two major host cities. The visitors comprised both domestic and foreign tourists. Interviews were conducted with 794 visitors in Cape Town and 981 in Durban using a structured survey. The data was inputted into SPSS and analysed thematically. The findings reveal that a positive relationship exists between the 2010 FIFA World Cup and perceived environmental impacts. Visitor perceptions of impacts were similar in both host cities with a majority of respondents recognising that the 2010 FIFA World Cup causes significant environmental harm. Many of the negative adverse impacts associated with the events included high levels of energy consumption, increases in air pollution, increases in solid waste, increase in litter, overconsumption of water, noise pollution increases, destruction of the natural habitat and loss of biodiversity; in varying degrees. However, a significant proportion of the respondents indicated that people became more aware of environmental impacts as a result of the FIFA World Cup with a smaller proportion suggesting the need for a more extensive awareness and environmental education campaign. The importance of examining the environmental impacts of hosting mega events is critical in relation to the planning of tourism events generally and mega events more specifically. This will contribute to the sustainability and positive environmental legacy impacts of hosting future mega events.