Hotel room rates in South Africa rose by 300%, deterring football enthusiasts from travelling to the nation for the FIFA World Cup next month.

A UK-based company, which has a deal with FIFA to provide lucrative hospitality packages for the tournament, has been blamed for the rise.

Having secured 80% of rooms in all leading hotels, the company is offering them at inflated prices, according to independent.co.uk.

In game reserves such as Kruger National Park, hotel rates are said to be exceptionally high.

FIFA downgraded its estimated number of visitors to South Africa during the sporting event to 200,000 from 750,000.