South African Tourism is participating in SATTE 2023 for the third consecutive year. Kickstarting a milestone year and celebrating 30 years of bilateral relations with India, the tourism board is geared up to promote South African provinces, unique experiences and unveil its plans for the year. The board will also host closed-room trade and corporate events on the 09th and 10th of February respectively. Led by Neliswa Nkani – Hub Head – Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism, and a few key executives and board members from South African Tourism, the briefings will be followed by an interactive consumer event showcasing the sights, sounds and taste of South Africa at DLF Avenue, Saket, New Delhi on 11th and 12th February.
South African Tourism will be collaborating with 20 prominent South African exhibitors to present innovative and one-of-a-kind destination offerings for Indian trade partners. The list of suppliers includes Sun International, Glamping Adventures, Mbombela Experience, Kwantu Private Game Reserve amongst others. Their offerings comprise exceptional stay amenities, luxury experiences, offbeat activities, advanced MICE infrastructure along with adventure, wildlife, and culinary activities.
The trade, corporate and consumer events will have former Master Chef South Africa contestants – Chef Siphokazi Mdlankomo and Chef Abigail Mbalo in attendance to oversee the execution of authentic South African delicacies and tasting menus. Visitors to South African Tourism’s consumer showcase will gain firsthand experience of the country through a visual representation of destination South Africa. In addition to this, the Master Chefs will also be collaborating with Crowne Plaza, Delhi to host a ‘South African Food Festival’, from February 3rd to February 12th serving authentic, indigenous dishes.
In line with its sustained recovery efforts, the board will host its Annual ‘India Roadshow 2023’ in key markets like Kolkata, Chennai, Hyderabad, and Mumbai between the 13th and 16th of February. Following the pandemic, India has risen to the sixth-largest international tourist market for South Africa. Such fruitful collaborations with trade associations and tour operators in India attest to the tourism board’s ongoing efforts to revitalise the country’s tourism industry.
Talking about the association Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South East Asia, South African Tourism said, “2022 has been a great year for us at South African Tourism as we continued to welcome Indian travellers who were eager to explore the length and breadth of South Africa. At the start of this year, we outlined a strategic roadmap which helped us successfully garner a 64 per cent year on year increase in Indian arrivals to South Africa. The response has been extremely moving and we are keen to build on this recovery momentum by diversifying the way we promote South Africa and appeal to the core passions of Indian travellers.”
“With South Africa and India completing 30 years of bilateral ties this year, we plan to launch a series of trade and consumer activations celebrating our shared culture, history and emotions. Kickstarting our campaign with SATTE 2023 we will also be hosting roadshows in key Indian cities followed by marketing initiatives spaced throughout the year to entice potential travellers. I am confident that our efforts will lead to mutually beneficial associations between South African exhibitors and global Indian buyers,” she continued.
In the year gone by, South African Tourism board successfully surpassed its annual targets by attracting 33,900 plus Indian travellers to the country. With improving accessibility and flight options, India holds considerable growth promise given that Indian travellers are the largest international consumers of adventure in South Africa. At present, several stop-over flights fly from India to South Africa, including Emirates, Qatar Airways, Ethiopian Airlines, Kenya Airways and Air Seychelles.
