South African Tourism conducts roadshow in Kolkata

On the latter, there is more hype than the real situation, though there is definitely  emphasis  on using water  more  responsibly, said Hanneli Slabber, regional manager, Asia, Australia and Middle East, South African Tourism, responding to a question from the media in Kolkata.

Slabber is leading a roadshow currently touring five metro cities with 60 trade partners from the country. This is its 15th edition of its travel trade initiative in India.

Currently, India is the eighth  largest international source market for South African Tourism, Slabber said.

The Indian tourist wants to enjoy an action-packed holiday with multiple activities, observed Alpa Jani, manager, trade relations,.  Adventure activities and wild life figure on top of the wish-list of the Indian tourist.  A growing trend is the increase of volume from the millennial travellers.  In the first quarter for 2017, nearly 35% of the Indian visitor base comprised 35 year olds while, for the second quarter of the year, it grew to 46%.

Accordingly efforts are on customising product offerings to suit the unique requirements, Jani said. Last year 7% of the tourists arrival from India were from West Bengal, she informed. Experiences with cultural and educative tours  are popular with tourists  from this region which include visits to museums, art galleries and historically signification locations.

Cape Town, Durban, Johannesburg and Kruger National Park remain high in the bucket-list of the Indian traveller to South Africa.  But south African Tourism is also trying to showcase other options  like  exploring  the beautiful “Garden Route”  with visits to picturesque little towns en route from Cape Town to Port Elizabeth,   with each place offering adventure lovers  lots of choices. Bungee jumping (world’s highest), ostrich bird watching (Oudtshoorn), the great stalactite formations of the Cango Caves, are some of them.