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About 30 representatives from South Africa’s travel industry, including six emerging enterprises are showcasing South Africa’s tourism at the 2017 World Travel Market (WTM) in London from November 6 to 8.
The South African delegation includes the Minister of Tourism, Tokozile Xasa and South African Tourism (SAT) Chief Executive Officer, Sisa Ntshona.
Ntshona believes that WTM presents an ideal opportunity to showcase the variety of South Africa’s tourism products and services, including the small business sector that adds depth to SA’s tourism offering.
Over three days, exhibitors will network with more than 50 000 travel professionals, industry leaders, owners of tourism products and services, journalists, digital influencers and tourism officials.
SAT’s UK team hosted selected international buyers at a special function the day before the show opened, which SAT thought would also encourage others to visit the South African pavilion.
Minister Xasa will be taking part in various discussions around responsible tourism locally and globally, while another focus area will be the #Madiba100 celebrations planned for SA and the UK next year, to coincide with the centenary of Nelson Mandela’s birth.
The UK remains SA’s largest source market for international tourists outside Africa, with almost 450 000 Britons travelling to SA in 2016, 10% more than in 2015, according to SAT. The latest’s statistics show that 9,5% more Europeans travelled to SA in the first eight months of 2017 compared to the same period last year.
“Creating jobs and contributing to the reduction of unemployment remains one of South Africa’s most urgent priorities in order to contribute to economic growth. Inclusive economic growth can only be achieved by creating a fertile environment in which tourism can take root and flourish. This includes giving small businesses and previously disadvantaged tourism players the opportunity to enter the industry, access the market and add to the diversity of our country’s tourism offering, further making us a more attractive and unique destination,” Ntshona adds.
Source: tourismupdate.co.za