Plans to grow market share using business and leisure as draw cards

South African Tourism has reinstated its commitment to the Nigerian market as a result of the constant increase in the tourists’ arrivals statistics in South Africa from Nigeria since 2004.
This was stated by SA Tourism Regional Director for Africa and Domestic, Phumi Dhlomo, at a press conference in Lagos as part of the agency’s media road show in Nigeria.
According to Dhlomo, an impressive number of 45, 527 Nigerians visited South Africa for both leisure and business purposes in 2009 surpassing that of the previous year with an appreciable 4.7%.
The SAT Regional chief said, “This laudable development entrenched Nigeria as a core market for SA Tourism and has motivated our increased commitment and investment in Nigeria.”
He explained that while the official 2010 statistics are not currently available, “we are optimistic that the record will surpass that of 2009, looking at the growth trend between January to July 2009 and January to July 2010 of an increase of 10.5%”.
As part of its commitments, the new SA Tourism global marketing campaign tagged ‘20experiences in 10days’ featured a Nigerian couple, Seun and Abimbola Somolu along with other couples from the UK, US and India in a once-in-a- lifetime, scintillating 10 days experience to savour the wonders of South Africa.
According to him, the campaign is currently being broadcast on its global media partners (CNN, BBC, SKY, Moments with Mo and Studio 53 Extra on DSTV, with plans to extending this media reach to include AIT and NTA Networks.
To further entrench the existing bilateral tourism and hospitality relationship between the two countries, SA Tourism also recently signed a joint marketing agreement (JMA) with 5 leading outbound tour operators in Nigeria to promote affordable travel packages to destination South Africa.
“These JMAs are a mutual joint venture platform for the development of tourism in Nigeria and South Africa and will no doubt benefit the tourism sectors and economies of both countries”, Dhlomo disclosed.
Speaking on the legacies of hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa, the SA Tourism Africa Regional boss thanked Nigerian media for its “superb coverage” and unflinching support towards the successful hosting of the Mundial through numerous positive reports before, during and after the fiesta.
He concluded by saying that SA Tourism has many plans in store for the Nigerian market and the agency will increase its marketing activities in the country in a continued efforts to grow the market.
Earlier, the South African High Commissioner to Nigeria, JKN Mamabolo also lauded the contribution of Nigerians and the media towards the successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup in South Africa.

He stressed that the SA High Commission in Nigeria prioritises security of both countries in the process of acquiring South African visa by Nigerians adding that the long standing good relationship between Nigeria and South Africa shall continue to exist.

Also speaking at the press briefing, Aaron Munetsi, Head of Africa, South African Airways, said the airline operated a 24-hour flight schedule to airlift millions of footballs fans across world including Nigeria as its contribution to the country’s successful hosting of the 2010 FIFA World Cup.

Munetsi disclosed that the airline is now offering local cuisine and in-flight entertainment on-board its newly introduced Airbus A340-300 on the Lagos-Johannesburg route adding that the airline is fully committed to constantly upgrade its on- ground and on-board service offerings.

As part of the media road show, Dhlomo toured some selected local print and electronic media organisations in Lagos to forge media partnership, closer working collaboration and seek areas of common synergies .