Embassy, Economy, Tourism, Topnews

12. March 2018

South African Exhibitors Arrive in Berlin for the World's Largest Tourism Fair

On the eve of the ITB Phumelele Stone Sizani, Ambassador of the Republic of South African in Germany, welcomed Siza Ntshona, Chief Executive Officer of South African Tourism (SAT), as well as all 85 South African exhibitors in the presence of Advocate MA Cassimjee, Minister Plenipotentiary, George Monyemangene, Consul General, Theresa Bay-Müller, Head Central Europe Hub of SAT as well as TV star Motsi Mabuse, to the Embassy of the Republic of South Africa in Berlin. Ambassador Sizani reflected on South Africa’s potential and beauty. Many a visitor has been attracted to the South African hospitality and diversity of its warm-hearted people, culture, arts and crafts, history, wine, culinary art, adventure activities as well as its beautiful landscape and wildlife.

In a video message South Africa`s Tourism Minister, Derek Hanekom, warmly greeted the tourism industry players present and expressed his confidence  that the industry would achieve growth, double the numbers targets (as referred to by President Cyril Ramaphosa in his State of the Nation address) and increase the number of jobs. The Minister also highlighted South African Tourism’s marketing campaigns as well as the importance of the celebrations commemorating the father of the nation, Tata Madiba, who would have become 100 years old on 18 July 2018. 

Looking at the strong growth in terms of tourism numbers, South African Tourism’s Chief Executive Officer Siza Ntshona said: “The tourism branch is one of the main columns of our economy and has been one of the most important employers of the country. That’s why I am so pleased that so many visitors have come to see our beautiful South Africa.“  From January to December 2017 349,211 Germans (plus 12%), 29, 602 Austrians (plus 7.4%) and 59,024 Swiss nationals (plus 7%) visited the rainbow nation. International tourism arrivals amounted to 10.285,197 visitors, an increase of 2.4 %. Having underlined the importance of tourism for the country and its potential to create job opportunities, the CEO confidently reiterated the feasibility of the government’s target to double growth figures of guest arrivals to South Africa as an amazing tourist destination with great people. As regards first timers to South Africa, he said "A majority of arrivals to South Africa from Germany remain first time holiday travellers (70.3%), followed distantly by 2nd time visitors (14.9%).”

Finally, Theresa Bay-Müller, Head Central Europe Hub of SAT, gave a visual overview of its massive marketing campaign. SAT’s successful campaign “South Africa – start your safari now!“ focusing on all kinds of exciting safaris such culture safari, adventure safari, wine safari or jazz safari, will move into its second phase with “Celebrity Ambassador” Motsi Mabuse leading the German tourists through the website and showing them her favourite spots and hidden gems in the whole of South Africa as an all-year destination www.dein-suedafrika.de Moreover, guests are invited to re-live their personal Mandela moments and explore Madiba’s legacy at the 100 key sites in South Africa throughout the year. South African Tourism in Germany has collected a number of outstanding sights, events and stories at www.dein-suedafrika.de/auf-mandelas-spuren/

Photo credit: www.dein-suedafrika.de 

Tourism Fair ITB opened in Berlin 

Berlin, 7 March 2018. After the official opening of the tourism fair in Berlin (ITB) Minister Plenipotentiary Advocate MA Cassimjee joined Chief Executive Officer Siza Ntshona and Theresa Bay-Müller, Head Central Europe Hub of SAT, in touring the South Africa Pavillion 138 in hall 20, where most of the 112 South African exhibitors in hall 20 have their stands, and engaged themselves with the representatives of South African provincial tourism boards, accommodations, tourism agencies, marketing destination organisations, national carrier South African Airlines.

Topics of the Media Talk presented by Arne Hörmann in the presence of representatives of approximately 30 German top with Chief Executive Officer Siza Ntshona and TV personality Motsi Mabuse, the Voice of for South Africa 2018, were inclusive tourism, women in tourism as well as the Nelson Mandela Centenary. With regards to water scarceness, the CEO said: "At any time, visitors only make up 1% of Cape Town’s population, and there is more than enough water for visitors and residents to wash, clean, cook and drink responsibly." 

During a get-together networking function for South African exhibitors and 160 German tour operators and media at the South African Pavillion in the evening, SAT introduced tourism Ambassador Motsi Mabuse to the market. Energetic and multi- talented “Celebrity Ambassador” Motsi Mabuse has been known to the German public as a TV personality, professional ballroom dancer, who has participated in the German series Let's Dance. The Golden City Gate Tourism Multimedia Award First Class and Second Class during ITB were handed over to Chief Executive Officer Siza Ntshona and Theresa Bay-Müller, Head Central Europe Hub of SAT, and Motsi Mabuse.

Photo credit: www.dein-suedafrika.de 

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