The slogan Ke Nako, or "it is time", has been the catchy theme phrase of air force shoes onlinethe recent World Cup, promoting the idea of a South Africa ready and able to host huge global events. And generally the country was ready, leaving aside some transport and ticketing glitches, as fans from 32 nations enjoyed the first World Cup on the African continent. But is South Africa now ready for the post-World CupNike Dunk Shoes online economic challenges that face the nation, and can it carry forward the momentum created by hosting the event? 'Reputational boost' "South Africans are very proud of what we have done here, it has beenVibram Five Fingers online a fantastic event, from an economic and a unity perspective," says Lee-Anne Bac, director at Grant Thornton Strategic Solutions in Johannesburg. "Hosting the 2010 World Cup will radically alter the landscape for tourism in southern Africa. More than 200,000 overseas fans visited South Africa for MBT Shoes onlinethe World Cup "There has also been a reputational boost for South Africa that can help bring inward investment and visitors. "South Africa has been rebranding as a tourist destination and as one based around the development of a global sports event business model." Experts believe the country will directly recoup onlyair jordan shoes on sale about a third of the 40bn rand ($5.3bn; ￡3.55bn) South Africa has spent on stadiums, transport infrastructure and upgrading airports. And while the initial estimate was for 450,000 foreign visitors, new figures from the home affairs ministry suggest that 200,000 extra foreign World Cup fans arrived in the first three weeks of the tournament. 'Tourist momentum'Air Max shoes on sale But Grant Thornton is predicting that thanks to the World Cup there will be an extra 1.5 million overseas visitors between now and 2015. They also envisage an extra 500,000 tourists from within Africa visiting byNike Shox Shoes on sale air, and an extra 200,000 overland tourists from within the continent, taking the overall additional visitors to 2.2 million. The country wants to attract more conventions and conferences "So we really believe there will be a tourist momentum moving forward," says Ms Bac. "The tourism structures we developed for 2010 will stay in place, and the aim is now to air shox shoes on saleattract further events, conferences and conventions to the country. "There has been media talk of attracting the 2020 Olympics, but events do not necessarily have to be of that size." For example, last week the inaugural International Sports Tourism Conference was held in Johannesburg, and later this month the BMX World Championship will be held in KwaZulu-Natal Province. 'Good returns' And many, including President Jacob Zuma, also envisage a lasting positive effect onNike Basketball Shoes on sale the economy through the recent development of national infrastructure. Cash has been spent on infrastructure, including new stadiums like Soccer City And Ms Bac says she has already noticed one potential economic benefit from the investment in infrastructure. "As a citizen of South Africa it has made commercial life soNike Air Force Shoes on sale much easier with the new roads and transport links, with less time wasted travelling and getting around," she says. The infrastructure legacy of the World Cup also includes stadiums, airports, and information technology. "We can safely say that we have good returns on our investment, which includes 33bn rand spent on transport infrastructure, telecommunications and stadiums," said President Zuma recently. Continue reading the main story The World Cup has brought more support across the communities for football... where there has historically been a racial divide Lee-Anne BacNike Zoom Kobe IV All Star Nike Zoom LeBron James Soldier Nike Zoom Lebron Soldier III Nike Zoom Lebron V Low Nike Zoom Lebron VI