Mega-sporting event legacies with reference to accommodation requirements of participants in the Two Oceans Marathon, Cape Town

Abstract

All travelling sportspersons require accommodation while taking part in sporting events when away from home. This was true of soccer players from the Professional Soccer League in South Africa, who had to play the Black Leopards team in Thohoyandou, Black netball players in Johannesburg, and generally South African competitors’ competing in the two areas identified by the Hospitality students of the University of Venda in 2008, as part of their marketing modules for the Bachelor of Commerce degree in Hospitality Management studies. Similar findings were obtained when participants in the Old Mutual Two Oceans Marathon were surveyed in 2013 and 2014. Quality service and friendliness of staff at commercial accommodation establishments, particularly with regard to rooms, reception and restaurants, were identified by these participants, confirming the 2008 survey results.