Live South Africa: Dutch Travellers, join us at Vakantiebeurs

Friday, January 12, 2024

As the new year begins, the North Europe Hub of South African Tourism launches into action with enthusiasm, making a prominent appearance at the Vakantiebeurs trade and consumer show in The Netherlands.

Hosted at Jaarbeurs in Utrecht, Vakantiebeurs stands as a longstanding annual travel event in the Netherlands, boasting over 50 years of recognition. This event serves as a pivotal platform where the travel industry sparks connections between holidaymakers, locals, travel providers, professionals, and destinations.

Abby Jacobs, Acting Hub Head for North Europe (Netherlands, Belgium, and Sweden), underscores the strategic significance of the Netherlands as a source market. Jacobs emphasizes, “South Africa’s participation in Vakantiebeurs is a crucial step in strengthening connections with travelers from this region, aiming to remain top-of-mind by showcasing the country’s diverse offerings aligned with consumer needs and responsible tourism experiences. The Netherlands stands as South Africa’s fourth-largest international source market, with a notable record of 117,948 travelers between January and November 2023. This figure impressively represents 90% of the 2019 arrivals for the same period, marking a 48% increase compared to 2022.”

The event commenced on January 10 with an exclusive trade day, facilitating business-to-business engagements. Esteemed buyers had the chance to engage with exhibitors, fostering valuable partnerships within the travel industry. This day laid the groundwork for meaningful interactions contributing to the growth and development of the tourism sector.

From today until January 14, Vakantiebeurs welcomes the general public, providing exhibitors like South African Tourism with an opportunity to directly engage with consumers. This unique chance allows travelers to explore the wonders of South Africa firsthand, gaining insights into the rich tapestry of experiences the country has to offer.

South African Tourism’s participation at Vakantiebeurs features a standout South African pavilion showcasing ten South African products and provincial representations. Participants include Wesgro, Tourism KwaZulu-Natal, Cape Saint Francis Resort, Tsitsikamma Village Inn, Under African Skies, Rhulani Safari Lodge, Garden Route Collection, Peermont Hotels and Resorts, Ghost Mountain Inn, and Sala Beach House.

Following the presence at Vakantiebeurs, the North Europe Hub, accompanied by various South African products, will embark on a dynamic roadshow from January 16 to 23, covering four cities across The Netherlands and Belgium. This roadshow presents a unique opportunity for South African Tourism and product owners to engage in business-to-business interactions and strengthen connections with Africa specialist tour operators and travel agents in the two countries. The roadshow will highlight 24 South African products, showcasing the richness and diversity of tourism offerings, including ten Small, Medium, and Micro-sized Enterprises (SMMEs) bringing authentic, community-driven experiences to the forefront.

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