| 2014 represents a very important year forSouth Africaas "2014 is The Year of South Africa inChina", and it also marks the 20th anniversary ofSouth Africa's democracy. To further promote South Africa's tourism in China, from June 23 to 27, South African Tourism Beijing will hold their 2014 annual Trade Workshops across China in Hong Kong, Chengdu, Shenyang and Beijing under a new promotional theme "Inspiring New Ways,Embracing New Travel Styles".
More than 45 South African trade companies will participate in the workshops this year, including 5 provincial tourism authorities (Cape Town Tourism, Durban Tourism, Gauteng Tourism Authority, Joburg Tourism and Tourism KwaZulu Natal), 2 airlines (South African Airways and Singapore Airlines),16 ADS,13 hotels, and other tourism-related services to share their latest offerings with more than 700 Chinese trade guests, delivering the latest messages, travel products and resources. The famous South African former rugby player, and internationally acclaimed Coach Mr. Chester Williams will also attend the trade workshops as South Africa's "South African Sports and Tourism Ambassador" to offer his precious support for tourism and Sport development between South Africa and China.
"I'mmore thanhonored to come toChinain the 'Year of South Africa' as the South African Sports and Tourism Ambassador. As one of the national sports, rugby is loved by South Africans and it has served as a cohesion which has united South Africans together.The sporting spirit is without boundaries, it helps inspire and unite people from all over the world. Today, I'm very glad to share the sports spirit as well as South Africa's unique beauty with our Chinese friends and make my own contribution to the deepening of the understanding and friendship between South Africans and the Chinese, and if the opportunity arises I hope to coach a rugby team in China and help prepare a 7's team for the Olympics," said Mr. Chester Williams.
During the past two decades of democracy, tourism arrivals toSouth Africahave achieved great growth. As a destination,South Africahas evolved to offer a diverse variety of unforgettable experiences, including leisure, business and events to domestic, regional and long-haul markets, and these include some African destinations in its itineraries.
China, with its strong growth momentum, has become the 4thlargest tourism source market toSouth Africa. In 2013, Chinese arrivals (Hong Kong included) reached 151,847, representing a 14.7% increase over 2012 and also the 5thyear of consecutive growth. Mr. Bradley Brouwer, former Regional Manager: Asia Pacific was recently appointed as President: Asia Pacific, for South African Tourism due to the outstanding performance of South African Tourism in Asia under his leadership.
"The South African Tourism Trade Workshops are one of the most important annual trade events we have inChina. It provides an excellent platform to facilitate communication and cooperationand offers great business opportunities between South African trade and their Chinese counterparts. This year,we are honored to have great support from our famous rugby star and icon Mr. Chester Williams and we are also proud to bring our tourism resources to 2ndtier cities in Chengdu and Shenyang aiming to develop the huge potential the southwest and northeast markets have in China." said Mr. Bradley Brouwer, President: Asia Pacific, for South African Tourism.
In 2014, South African Tourism proudly lunched the new promotional theme "Inspiring New Ways,Embracing New Travel Styles" and introduced 3 new travel products in China to increase awareness of South Africa includingSouth African cruises, South Africa in vehicles and South Africa by luxury rail. South African Tourism will continue to actively communicate and cooperate with Chinese trade partners and media to tap into the market trends and develop more diversified products to meet the demands and requests of Chinese travelers.
"With all the support from our trade partners and media friends, we are confident that our trade workshops will expand to more markets in the future and more and more Chinese travelers will choose to come to South Africa to enjoy our breath-taking wild life, Scenic Beauty, nature, and meet our welcoming people and glorious diverse cultures," said Mr. Bradley Brouwer, President: Asia Pacific, for South African Tourism.
For further information, please visit SAT China's official website:www.southafricantourism.cn |
