YOU could be forgiven for thinking you had stepped through a portal to Latin America when you visit Mossel Bay and hear phrases like bienvenido (welcome), ¿cómo puedo ayudarle (how can I help you?) or ¿Dónde está la cancha de fútbol (where is the soccer pitch?), but more likely it will be the hundreds of tourism operators and civil servants practising their Spanish skills.

Mossel Bay, which set up a language clinic to overcome the biggest stumbling block in attracting tourists and teams for the 2010 Fifa World Cup, this weekend announced that its gamble – described by the tourism industry as one of the most unique tourism marketing concepts introduced for some time – had paid off.

The Paraguayan Football Federation confirmed it would base itself in the small Garden Route town if it qualified for 2010 – and they are on the verge. Paraguay on Saturday beat Bolivia 1-0 and are now level with second-placed Chile (but just behind on goal difference) on 27 points in the South American zone – three points behind leaders Brazil.

And yesterday, World Cup Organising Committee South Africa chief executive Danny Jordaan congratulated Brazil on becoming the first South American side to qualify for next year’s global showpiece when they beat rivals Argentina 3-1 on Saturday. “You cannot host a World Cup without Brazil,” he said.

Mossel Bay’s 2010 coordinator, Louis Harris, said Paraguay would stay at The Point Hotel and practise on the Extension 23 Pitch, which is currently being redeveloped to meet international standards. Although the Paraguayan team still had three matches to play, he had every confidence they would qualify, he said.

Mayor Marie Ferreira said hosting the Paraguayans would form an important part of the town’s long-term strategy to create lasting relationships with South America.

“The presence of an international team of this calibre will have a significant impact on the town’s economy and we’ve been told to expect an inflow of about 6000 Paraguayan fans and supporters.”

In another 2010 coup for the town, the media hub for the Eden District will be set up in the Diaz Beach Hotel and Resort. The hub is expected to attract a massive contingent of journalists from around the world, creating an unprecedented interest in the Garden Route and Klein Karoo.

Harris said trying to position Mossel Bay to benefit from a long-term legacy had resulted in a collaborative relationship with the University of Buenos Aires in setting up the town’s language faculty.