Time is running out for graded accommodation establishments in Nelson Mandela Bay as the deadline to sign up for 2010 World Cup Matchville status approaches.

The city runs the risk of losing out on benefiting from the 2010 Fifa World Cup as Matchville will accommodate visitors in areas that have the required number of contracted rooms.

Despite Mandela Bay‘s losing out on Matchville status last month, tourism establishments are confident the next deadline will be met next month.

Tourism Enterprise Partnership (TEP) provincial manager Akhona Maqwazima said after consulting with the city‘s tourism body, the municipality, business and accommodation places, he was confident the city would take up the opportunity.

He said TEP was the official partner with Match in signing up accommodation places like bed and breakfasts, guesthouses and other small establishments.

"We did a 2010 road show and we picked up a lot of interest in signing up for Matchville status."

Mandela Bay would need a minimum of 1600 rooms to qualify for grade three Matchville status, 3200 for grade 2 and 6400 for grade 1.

Signing up with Fifa would allow the travel industry to be part of the country‘s largest marketing exercise, with their details posted on Fifa‘s website, said Erenei Louw, of Nelson Mandela Bay Tourism.

Walter Passet, of the Port Elizabeth Metro Bed and Breakfast Association, said the organisation fully supported co-operating with Fifa and Match in ensuring a successful World Cup.

"As tourism players, we have a clear responsibility, beyond our individual business objectives, to ensure Port Elizabeth succeeds in hosting 2010 visitors and in the years ahead. The consequences of Match withdrawing from Port Elizabeth and surrounds as a Matchville accommodation centre would be extremely detrimental to all tourism stakeholders, both in the short and longer term."

The association encouraged all SMME establishments to ensure they did not fail in encouraging tourism to Port Elizabeth and surrounds, he said.

"As Pembba, we only represent about 120 establishments, so it makes good business sense to encourage all establishments that are not registered with us, to get behind the programme and ensure a successful tourism event in the long-term interests of all tourism stakeholders - restaurants, game parks, tour operators and tourist venues in and around Port Elizabeth," said Passet .

Carleen Arends, of Nelson Mandela Bay municipality, said due to numbers having been predetermined (tickets and accommodation bought through Match), Match would be able to put on flights and transport to support its undertaking to ensure all fans got to their matches on the day.

Its unique position as Fifa‘s official service provider ensured it had the support of the transport department and was part of the aviation task team, and was thus best positioned to be able to deliver the required logistics to support such an initiative, she said.

"This extended stay will not only benefit accommodation establishments, as there will be economic spin-offs for other service providers like restaurants, entertainment facilities, transport, tour operators and game parks."

Garden Route tourism operators and hotels in George, Knysna, Mossel Bay and Oudtshoorn have signed up to host foreign national teams competing in football‘s big extravaganza.