Innovative solutions are needed for a projected shortage of up to 180 000 tourist beds for the Soccer World Cup 2010 to be hosted in South Africa, Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk said on Tuesday.

Without major public and private interventions, there could be between 160 000 and 180 000 beds short of the demand.

This did not necessarily require a massive investment in new accommodation, although some might be needed, he told a Cape Town gathering to mark the 5th anniversary of the Tourism Grading Council of SA.

Instead, the shortage would have to be addressed "extremely creatively", to which end an announcement would be made shortly, Van Schalkwyk said.