Saturday, March 2, 2024
South Africa Showcases its Diverse Tourism Offerings at ITB Berlin 2024,Renowned for its breathtaking scenery, captivating safaris, rich history, and vibrant cultural experiences, South Africa is primed to captivate travelers worldwide. Bolstered by quality-assured accommodations, the nation aims to draw in an even larger global audience.
Led by South African Tourism, the national agency dedicated to promoting the country as a premier destination, the nation’s tourism sector is gearing up for participation in the Internationale Tourismus-Borse (ITB) in Berlin, Germany. From March 5th to 7th, 2024, this esteemed global trade show will unfold under the theme ‘Pioneer the Transition in Travel & Tourism. Together.’
Embracing this theme, South Africa approaches ITB Berlin with a unified front, showcasing its collective strength and the collaborative spirit that welcomed 8.5 million international tourists between January and December 2023.”
“We are going to ITB 2024 as one “Team South Africa” comprised of a wide variety of products and experiences. We have put the effects of the COVID-19 pandemic behind us and we are pioneering our transition by ensuring that we showcase our exceptional tourism offering and indeed improve South Africa’s brand appeal and inspire travellers to choose to book and come visit South Africa,” says South African Tourism Chief Executive Officer, Nombulelo Guliwe.
As a vital component of the South African delegation, 63 tourism products and services, comprising 15 Small Medium and Micro Enterprises (SMMEs), are joining from nine provinces. Together, they represent the rich and culturally diverse tourism offerings of South Africa.
“The last few years have been tough for global travel and tourism as the world was gripped by the COVID-19 pandemic. All the changes that have occurred in the past few years have significantly impacted on how we live our lives, interact and socialise and of course how we engage in other economic and leisure activities. This has been nothing short of evolutionary and has required that we transition into the new norm. As “Team South Africa” we go to ITB driven by our passion to market our country and to finding the best partners that will partner with us in our transition and ensure that we position our country as the best tourism destination in the world,” adds Guliwe.
As part of the activities planned for “Team South Africa” at ITB 2024, a “Destination South Africa Showcase” will kick off with a media panel discussion on the first day of the trade show, March 5th. Following this, a dedicated trade and media engagement session will provide South African SMMEs with extensive networking opportunities with key partners. Throughout the event, meetings are scheduled with both established and potential partners, aimed at solidifying South Africa’s position as the preferred destination across diverse markets. Additionally, to enhance networking, South African wines will be showcased at the South Africa stand.
Fifteen SMMEs will be among the exhibiting companies at Stand 201 in Hall 20, reflecting a concerted effort to provide market access for SMMEs to showcase and promote their products on an international platform.
“We are looking forward to reconnecting with our long-standing partners while also forging new connections at this year’s ITB Berlin. Our country has what travellers are looking for. Our tourism products also allow them to travel more responsibly so they can make a positive impact and contribute to the preservation of our planet. Through the work that we do with our partners we can package and promote South Africa”.
While ITB Berlin holds global significance, its focus leans notably towards Europe due to its geographical location. Europe continues to serve as a significant source of overseas tourists for South Africa. In the period between January and December 2023, South Africa welcomed 1.2 million tourist arrivals from Europe, reflecting a notable 38.2% increase compared to 2022. Among European nations, the United Kingdom emerges as the top source market, contributing 356,160 tourists to South Africa, marking a substantial 25.8% growth from 2022. Germany closely follows with a 41.6% surge in arrivals compared to 2022, totaling 245,259 tourists. Additionally, the Netherlands witnessed a remarkable 45.5% increase in tourist arrivals compared to 2022, amounting to 131,371 arrivals between January and December 2023.
South Africa’s exhibition will be located at Stand 201 in Hall 20 during ITB Berlin, from March 5th to 7th, 2023.
Tags: 2023, exhibition, Hall 20, ITB Berlin, March 5-7, South Africa, Stand 201
Saturday, April 27, 2024
Saturday, April 27, 2024
