South African Tourism is on an exciting journey to boost inbound travel and, in a bid to sustain the growing tourist influx, recently conducted the second workshop of ‘Learn South Africa’ 2023 in Pune. With a goal to exceed pre-pandemic arrival numbers by year-end, this hallmark travel trade training initiative equips travel agents with the tools needed to effectively promote South Africa as a destination of choice.
The ‘Learn SA’ workshops, spread across six cities, have already concluded in Delhi and Pune, with upcoming events scheduled for Kolkata, Kochi, Indore, and Jaipur. These on-ground workshops play a vital role in aligning trade partners with the tourism board’s strategy to bolster growth and attract Indian travelers to the Rainbow Nation. Additionally, they provide an excellent platform for expanding South African Tourism’s network by welcoming new players and encouraging their participation. This immersive experience aims to empower participants with the knowledge and tools necessary to market and represent South Africa, reinforcing collaborative efforts to showcase the country’s diverse attractions and experiences.
India currently ranks as the 6th largest international source market for South Africa, making it a significant player in South Africa’s flourishing tourism landscape. The Pune workshop, for instance, saw participation from over 111 trade partners, and this year’s ‘Learn SA’ is expected to draw over 1,000 trade partners from across India. The 9th edition of ‘Learn SA’ spotlights novel activities, unexplored provinces, and hidden gems within South Africa.
Ms. Neliswa Nkani, Hub Head – Middle East, India and South-East Asia, South African Tourism, expressed her gratitude to the Indian trade fraternity and highlighted the significant growth in tourism from India. She stated, “It will be our endeavor to innovate and explore newer avenues of association by expanding such programs to tier-2 and tier-3 cities of the Indian market.”
Pune is emerging as a key source market for South African Tourism in India, with growing preferences among leisure and business travelers. The tourism board noted an 18% increase in business travelers from Pune during January – June 2023, compared to the same period in 2022. A substantial 88% of inbound travelers from Pune chose South Africa for their business and MICE initiatives.
Thanks to its innovative initiatives and collaborative efforts, South African Tourism experienced over 80% growth in arrivals from January – July 2023 compared to the same period in the previous year. India holds a pivotal position in South African Tourism’s long-term global strategy, ranking as one of the top-3 focus markets for the tourism board globally.
