Global drive to showcase Cradle of Humankind begins next year

A subsidiary of empowerment group Thebe Investment Corporation, Thebe Tourism Group is a member of the Furneaux Stewart GAPP consortium appointed by the Gauteng Government to design, develop, market and operate the interpretation centre complex at the Cradle of Humankind.

"We believe the complex, with its stunning design and its main attraction of a time-line experience taking visitors through the millennia, will give the Cradle of Humankind a status on a par with that of other major South African tourist drawcards.

"The complex, at Mohale's Gate, and upgraded facilities at Sterkfontein caves will be world class and a must-see destination for local visitors and domestic and international tourists. It will provide a significant boost for tourism in the region, with a positive impact on the entire Cradle of Humankind and the various businesses in the area and the local community. "

Van Huyssteen says that through its marketing structures in the UK, Europe, the USA, China and India, Thebe Tourism Group will ensure that the development is showcased internationally. It will work with local agencies to promote visits to the development, due for completion in 2005, by locals and domestic tourists, he says.

"Our offshore marketing presence is in countries which are both long-established sources of tourism into South Africa and exciting new markets.

"The major source, the European market, including the UK, posted a 12,2% increase in tourists in the six months to June, with some exciting gains out of Belgium, France, Sweden and Ireland. While the Asian market produced only a 0,9% increase for the six months, tourists from India were up by 43,8 % to 23 924 for the half year. This is a fast-growing market for South Africa and one which TTG will actively seek to develop further through our presence there."

Van Huyssteen says plans for the international showcasing will be finalized before year end and will include participation at major industry exhibitions.

He says the involvement of TTG in the Cradle of Humankind is in line with its philosophy of investing in businesses in iconic destinations such as Cape Point, Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and the Okavango Delta. TTG was also one of the founder members of the consortium appointed as preferred bidder to develop the hospitality facilities on Robben Island, a project yet to get off the ground.

TTG recently established Thebe Conventions to organize and manage national and international conferences for associations, corporate companies and government, and it is envisaged that this company will manage the conferencing facilities at the complex.

Its inbound tourism business units include Hello Africa, a group and incentive specialist; United Touring Company (UTc) South Africa, which specializes in leisure travel; and Southern Touring Company, a transport and cultural touring business. Its destination management unit includes Distinctive Destinations which handles inbound requirements for Ker & Downey, a company with a long-established safari background.

Other interests include a joint venture with leading international car rental operator National/Alamo, controlling stakes in the Cape Union Mart outlets at Johannesburg and Cape Town International Airports, a retail store in Cape Town's V&A Waterfront and the management of the travel desk at the ArabellaSheraton Grand Hotel Cape Town, the hotel at the Cape Town International Convention Centre.