For Africa News: Media statement by the office of Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk

Media statement by the office of Minister Marthinus Van Schalkwyk, and South African Tourism

30 Jan 2012

The Minister of Tourism, Marthinus van Schalkwyk is currently on a two day visit to India to promote South Africa as a tourism destination and highlighting the potential and importance of India as a source market for tourism to South Africa.

Minister van Schalkwyk, addressing trade partners said: ‘The number of Indian tourists travelling from India to South Africa has steadily increased by over 122% between 2005 and 2010 and South Africa is continuing to attract Indian tourists in great numbers - with 67 039 Indian tourists travelling to South Africa between January and September 2011, 29% more than over the same period in 2010’.

A brief summary of the arrival statistics shows that:

Between January and September 2011, 67 039 tourists visited South Africa, this is a 29% increase over the same period last year (51 617)
Between January and December 2010, 71 587 tourists visited South African, this is a 29,7% increase over the same period in 2009 (55 203).
Tourist arrivals increased by 122% from 2005 to 2010 and the aim is to reach over 100 000 tourists by 2014.
Inbound tourist spend (revenue) increased by 145% between 2005 and 2010.

The Minister further held that South Africa’s world renowned events and lifestyle offerings have proven to strike a chord with the Indian traveller who is eager to experience a unique and varied destination with a wide range of choices to suit every budget. ‘The importance of India as a source market for South Africa cannot be underscored as India is an emerging travel market with massive growth potential. India’s economic growth is also expected to continue over the next 40 years and by 2050, India is expected to be among the top-three global economies’ Minister van Schalkwyk said.

Three years ago, South African Tourism identified India as a core market and we are currently capacitated with a fully operational office in India. India is ranked seventh in overseas top 20 source markets for South African Tourism. Rising incomes, changing attitudes and a desire to travel abroad, increase demand for outbound travel. Since 2005, South African Tourism has been promoting the destination very successfully in India. They have focused on film, fashion, sport and food & wine. They have also aligned their strategy to leverage events in SA and India effectively through workshops, Familiarisation trips (FAM) and various other exciting initiatives.

Air connectivity between the two countries is also good, with South African Airways operating four frequencies a week, while Jet Airways operates five times a week. There are also daily flights from eight different cities via Emirates, Etihad and Qatar Airways.

More good news is that South Africa recently won the bid to host the Travel Agents Federation of India (TAFI) Convention which attracts an average of 1000 delegates, excluding accompanying parties. The conference serves as a platform for professional development, tourism information and intelligence exchange as well as a super familiarisation trip where delegates get to explore the tourism potential and attractions of the hosting region.

This will be held in KwaZulu-Natal in November this year (2012). The TAFI Convention is a major milestone and the first of landmark events following the alliance formed between TAFI and SATSA, and it will give the Indian Travel fraternity great exposure to South Africa. South Africa is also bidding to host the Travel Agents Association of India (TAAI) Convention in 2013.

South African Tourism is intensifying their marketing efforts and investment in the Indian operation and through road shows work with the Indian trade. SAT is currently in the process of training over 1000 Indian travel agents and tour operators this year to ensure they have the necessary skills and experience to sell South Africa. Over the years the road show has grown in numbers and size, the 3City road show in 2011 showcased 31 suppliers from SA who interacted with 700 representatives in India while the 2012 road show will feature 61 SA products with more than 1000 Indian travel agents attending across five cities.

Ministry of Tourism

Enquiries:

Melene Rossouw

Tel: 021 465 7240

Cell: 082 753 7107

E-mail: mrossouw@tourism.gov.za

Natasha Rockman

Tel: 021 465 7240

Cell: 076 429 2264

E-mail: nrockman@tourism.gov.za

South African Tourism

Jermaine Craig