Chinese travel, tourism trade show reveals interest in SA

"Post-Olympic China has become a truly environmentally conscious society, with green and eco-based projects spread over the entire country. South Africans must therefore package the destination in a manner that matches this trend," comments Bradley Brouwer, SA Tourism's Regional Manager for Asia-Pacific.

"We have just seen a significant year on year increase (62.3%) of Chinese (including Hong Kong) arrivals to South Africa from 42 083 in 2009 to 68 309 in 2010 and if we continue to actively promote our destination we will see even higher returns," Concludes Brouwer.

Echoing these sentiments is Cape Town Routes Unlimited CEO, Calvyn Gilfellan, who is leading a small delegation from the Western Cape, which includes the Eden District Municipality and the company Cango Caves.

Capitalising on 2010

"The workshops in China have proved to be a huge success and we were inundated with requests for destination information, familiarisation tours and new travel itineraries. The top of mind awareness created by the hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup was impressive and we still have a window of opportunity to capitalise on it."

"Where we had many infrastructure and security enquiries in the past, the Chinese travel trade are now asking basic questions like whether accommodation establishments have a green tea sachet in the rooms; or if universal adaptors are available at reception. It is up to the South African tourism industry to respond to these specific needs." Gilfellan goes on to say.

The workshops in China and other parallel events were fully supported by the South African Embassy in Beijing and both the Consul General in Shanghai, Mr Vusi Khumalo; and Counsellor in Beijing, Advocate Busi Mkhwebane-Tshehla, were in attendance. Both stressed the importance of South Africa's entrance in the BRICS alliance for the growth of tourism, trade and investment from China. Southern African exhibitors include South African Airways, Air Mauritius, Sun International, Southern Sun, Protea Hotel and many other private tour operators and hospitality establishments.

Workshop attendance in Beijing and Guangzhou is pegged at 430 and 253 respectively, which is extremely good if one takes into consideration that the workshop coincided with the Chinese Dragon Boat Race holiday. The South African team is currently in South Korea for the second leg of their marketing engagement.