US shown Joburg's finest

The Ubuntu Expo was launched in New York City, showing the best South Africa has to offer foreign tourists. The mayor was there to punt Joburg.
AN increased demand for information by the global tourism industry and a surge in international tourist arrivals, have sparked the launch of a forum where tourism agents and suppliers can network, while learning more about South Africa’s tourist destinations.

Executive mayor Parks TauExecutive mayor Parks Tau at the launch of Ubuntu ExpoLaunched barely two weeks ago, Ubuntu Expo – a multi-city trade show spearheaded by South African Tourism – has already visited the American cities of New York, Atlanta, Miami and Los Angeles, promoting South Africa as a prime tourist destination. It was launched at the Pierre Hotel in New York City to more than 150 travel agents and journalists, and over 20 South African suppliers. Plans have been put in place to host it annually.

The launch was attended by Executive Mayor Parks Tau and his portfolio head of finance, Geoff Makhubo; as well as a delegation from Joburg; the consul-general of South Africa in New York, George Monyemangene; and Sthu Zungu, the president of South African Tourism North America.

Zungu said figures for international tourists to South Africa had surged because of competitive tourism packages and popular local trends. She said the expo focused on educating tourists about available and competitive tourism packages and destinations.

It was designed to bring together the global industry, as building relationships was pivotal to growing tourism and for tourists to “fully comprehend our multi-dimensional destination”. Ubuntu Expo was just one of many platforms South African Tourism was investing in to promote the country abroad, she said.

At the launch in New York, Tau spoke about the state of the city and why Joburg was an alluring destination for tourists “that can’t be missed with this key audience of influencers”.

Tourist figures
Recent figures for tourist arrivals from the US in South Africa reveal a 15,6 percent year-over-year growth since April. Trends have highlighted an increased interest in family and multigenerational travel to the country, as more suppliers had started to accommodate children.

George George Monyemangene, consul-general of South Africa in New YorkThe name chosen for the expo was an African philosophy that spoke to people’s bonds and interconnectedness, she said. “It is the essence of being human. I am because you are. This is the very spirit and philosophy behind the Ubuntu Expo, bringing a wide variety of influencers together, including suppliers, vendors and the tourism board to showcase the best that South Africa has to offer as a leading travel destination.”

Latest figures from Tourism South Africa reveal that more than eight million tourists visited the country in 2010, boosting the sector by 15,1 percent.

According to Jabu Mabuza, the chairperson of the South African Tourism board, from January to April this year, South Africa had 2 750 175 foreign tourist arrivals, up by 7,5 percent from the 2 558 715 recorded over the same period in 2010. He attributed the growth to the country’s traditional markets and exciting investment markets.

European visitor numbers rose 4,5 percent with 458 479 tourist arrivals in the period under review, the biggest tourism market being the United Kingdom, with 162 415 tourist arrivals. Visitor numbers from North America were up 16,8 percent – the United States up 15,6 percent and Brazil up 38,4 percent; Asia up 29,3 percent, India 51 percent and China up 25,6 percent.

Tourist arrivals from other African countries grew by 7,3 percent, with Nigeria up by 27,6 percent and Democratic Republic of Congo up 21,2 percent.

Zungu said the expo would reinforce South Africa as a preferred holiday destination by providing necessary resources to make travelling to the country possible. Eco-tourism was an emerging market, an important selling point for the country, and this would be used as leverage.