South Africa 'is a nation of sports lovers'

In light of its recent recognition at the World Travel Awards - where it won the best sports tourism destination accolade - travel chiefs in South Africa have insisted that the country has long been a "nation of sports lovers".

South African Tourism's chief marketing officer Roshene Singh was delighted with the award and revealed that a lot of effort has gone into making the country a beacon for sporting success.

He said that the Fifa World Cup in 2010 was a shining example of the passion that exists for sport in South Africa, as many of the thousands of guests who took in matches in Cape Town, Durban and Johannesburg were impressed by the enthusiasm of the Bafana Bafana fans.

Many football fans who visited such cities during the tournament clearly fell in love with the destination, as many have since booked other luxury holidays in South Africa.

South Africa - and Cape Town in particular - has become accustomed to receiving awards, as Table Mountain was recently named as one of the new Seven Wonders of the World, which should also boost visitor numbers.