South African Tourism Board commences their 7th Annual 3-city Mega Road Show in India

Ahmedabad: South African Tourism, in association with South African Airways, has hit the road with the most exciting road show undertaken by a tourism board in India. The annual event, year on year has offered their Indian channel partners, an innovative opportunity to get acquainted with the most popular destinations and activities that South Africa has to offer to the Indian traveler.

Currently in its 7^th year, the road show has gained popularity not only with local delegate participation but also participation from South Africa, with representation from 30 leading travel partners in the travel & hotel industry. A true blue mix of trade partners from India and South Africa will meet on a single platform to interact and identify mutually beneficial areas for cooperation this year!

The road show comprises of several destination presentations by the board and delegates participating from South Africa, who via a conversation will brief more than 1200representatives from the travel and tourism industry in India. The success of the previous road shows have set a precedent with the Indian market who are already quite well versed with tourism in South Africa and the USPs directly from the many brands that participate every year. This includes the best in sports tourism to the toughest golf courses globally and luxury private game lodges to merge the best of adventure and indulgent holidays. The board has expressed deep gratification in the growing air traffic numbers from India and the interest garnered from this market. Accordingly, a number of initiatives to engage the industry on a B2B and a customer level regularly have been initiated, chief amongst them being the ongoing “Learn South Africa” module that is full day training and customized familiarization module intended at educating travel agents across key markets in India.

In October 2010, the arrival figures from India have seen a marked increase from 5,047 in 2009 to 6,291 travelers in the last quarter.  The 1,244 difference in tourist arrivals has shown that people are starting to recognize South Africa as a desirable destination in the Indian market.  With a   growth month on month of 57,908 arrivals till October 2010 from 47,681 arrivals in Oct 2009 has seen a 10,227 difference. These regularly increasing numbers in South African tourism have shown that the country is soon underway to be amongst the top most visited countries globally.

Evelyn Mahlaba, Regional Director; Asia, Americas and Australia, speaking on the occasion said, “South Africa has emerged as an enigmatic and aspirational destination amongst the Indian traveller today. The South African Tourism board has aligned itself with its channel partners both in India and South Africa to abet travel and preference to South Africa at affordable prices! The road shows have traditionally served as great platforms to interact and have meaningful dialogues with our partners who are the backbone of our plans that are aimed at supporting and growing the heightening interest in travel to South Africa."