The South African Government and the private sector will be working together to drive international marketing and that tourists visit the country, create jobs and to ensure that the tourism sector is fully recovering and all travel barriers eliminated.
According to South Africa Tourism Acting CEO Themba Khumalo, this festive season will be a one special kind and phenomenal being the first ever since the hit of Covid19. The CEO encouraged for people to go out there and travel to a place for the first time in order to experience something for the first time.
“During the travel week we experienced bumper days as most people have already purchased their holidays and are already planning their travel over the festive season and the campaigns have already broken in all of our international markets.” the SAT Acting CEO said.
The CEO was speaking during very first conference two-day Tourism Leadership Conference in Sun-city from Thursday, hosted by Tourism Business Council of South Africa (TBCSA).
The conference takes place during Tourism Month, and right before the official beginning of Spring in South Africa. The South African country is also working on getting the visa regime sorted out in order for people to be able to get back into the country and that we build together into the summer season.
As part of Tourism Month annually, each first week of each September, the country’s tourism sector launches a travel week where wholesale prices are the deal to ensure that people can forward-buy their holidays for this year already.
Airlines that were lost during Covid19 are gradually getting back into the country. For example, Air Belgium has just landed in the country on Wednesday at the O.R Thambo International airport for the first time since the Corona virus pandemic
Apart from Belgium landing in the country, Delta and the United airlines will be carrying out their flights into Cape Town International Airport heading to the December period and hopefully into the few months in 2023.
Western Cape Minister of Finance and Economic Opportunities, Mireille Wenger said that the 24 direct flights to Cape Town from the UK and a further 13 direct flights per week direct from the US, is a clear indication that the festive season will be bumping with more tourists flocking into the province.
“It has been so wonderful to hear from all the tourism spots I have visited so far that they are all expecting a bumper summer season, especially since we will be receiving.” said Minister Wenger.
The Minister recently visited Stellenbosch and Franschhoek in the Cape Winelands and has acknowledged the district was popular, with domestic and foreign tourists alike who visit the area to enjoy the rich heritage, outdoor activities, scenic drives, and wine tasting on offer.
“The economic development work of Visit Stellenbosch (VS) in the local tourism sector is a great initiative for Iocal tourism entrepreneurs, like the women of Bags4Bread who produce custom made upcycled conference items.” she said.
“I especially loved Amazink, which has a fantastic vibe and is a wonderful example of community tourism.” said Minister Wenger.
