22 January, 2018
SOUTH AFRICA MEDIA ROADSHOW 2018 PROMOTING
CHINESE TOURISM IN BEIJING, SHANGHAI & CHENGDU
Marketing mission leveraging the milestone of the 20th anniversary of South Africa-China diplomatic relations, and the Nelson Mandela centennial, and new global brand film
South African Tourism launches a 2018 calendar of promotions encouraging Chinese visitors, through a media roadshow to three key China cities from the 29 January - 02 February 2018.
Key tourism marketing, trade and media initiatives are being unveiled at Intercontinental Sanlitun, Beijing on the (29 January), and in the Jian’an Shangri-la Hotel, Shanghai on the (31 January) and in the Shangri-la Hotel, Chengdu in the booming capital of the south-west China on the (02 February).
South African Tourism’s Asia-Pacific President Mr. Bradley Brouwer will outline a robust calendar of events underlining the unique and compelling ‘bucket list’ experiences and attractions of the ‘Rainbow Nation’ in the world’s No 1 market for foreign tourists.
Dignitaries from the South African Embassy in Beijing, Brand South Africa and South African Consul in Shanghai will also discuss the blossoming of South Africa-China relations at all levels.
The roadshows additionally highlight 2018 as the milestone 20th anniversary of diplomatic relations between South Africa and China, as well as the centennial anniversary of the life and legacy of the ‘father of modern South Africa’, Nelson Mandela.
South African Tourism also announces the launch of their new global brand film, bringing to life a vibrantly inspiring story of Bheki the Mbhaco Maker for audiences in China and around the world.
The latest updates on visa policies will be shared, along with the expansion of visa facilitation centers now open in 9 Chinese cities: Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chengdu, Xian, Shenyang, Wuhan, Jinan, and Hangzhou - along with two more opening soon in Kunming and Chongqing for 11 centers total - making visa facilitation and access much easier for Chinese tourists.
As well as priceless once-in-a-lifetime experiences from wildlife safaris with 9 UNESCO World Heritage Sites to world-class wineries along the longest wine route in the world and great value shopping and dining, marine tourism / Ocean Safari’s is also a core focus – including spectacular underwater diving amid the ‘Great Sardine Run’, known as “The Serengeti of the Sea”.
“Our focus is also on authentic cultural people-to-people experiences that make the ‘Rainbow Nation’ so unique,” said Mr. Brouwer. Itineraries and experiences are being tailored under distinct categories for the Wildlife/Safari Traveller, Active Adventure Traveller, Scenic Outdoor Traveller, City Lifestyle Traveller, Coastal Beach Traveller and Cultural Roots Traveller.
Tourism investment opportunities will also be outlined, along with marketing initiatives including media familiarization tours, marketing collaboration opportunities and travel trade learning programs across China.
“Our annual media gatherings are unveiling another exciting year of activities reminding China’s fast-growing sector of global travelers that South Africa is a must-visit destination that is friendly, appealing, safe and secure,” said Mr. Brouwer.
“These roadshows also enhance South African Tourism’s media relations in the Chinese market, offering great opportunities for communication and exchanges to enable the media to better understand our latest promotional strategies and to further enrich the brand awareness of South Africa.”
In line with the worldwide boom in Chinese tourism, China has become one of South Africa’s core tourism markets, with visitor numbers soaring by a remarkable 38% in 2016 to 117,144 – or over 10,000 a month.
South Africa is also renowned in China as a leading MICE destination, offering an exceptional variety of incredible incentive experiences ranging from meetings on safari to elegant wine tasting and cutting-edge technology at award-winning international convention centers.
“South Africa offers Chinese visitors a world of compelling and authentic experiences and jaw-dropping moments encountered nowhere else on the planet in one destination, and we expect a continuing Chinese tourism boom in 2018,” added Mr. Brouwer.
A favorable exchange rate also makes the destination a competitively priced destination, and air links are closer than ever before, with direct Beijing-Johannesburg flights aboard the national carrier Air China, as well as many more via Hong Kong, Singapore and the Middle East.
For further information, please visit South African Tourism’s Chinese official website: www.southafricantourism.cn
-Ends-
Issued by GHC Asia on behalf of South African Tourism
For further information contact:
Shirley Chen South African Tourism Beijing Office Tel: +86 10 85236883 Email: [email protected] Website www.southafricantourism.cn |
Julia Zhang GHC Asia Tel: +86 13816097162 Email: [email protected] Website: www.ghcasia.com |
Register on our media extranet to browse the latest news releases (from SA Tourism as well as the tourism industry in general), access the news archive and get details of all upcoming tourism industry events (both locally and internationally).http://mediaextranet.southafrica.net
South African Tourism is the national tourism agency responsible for the marketing of South Africa as a preferred tourist destination. It is headed up by Chief Executive Officer Mr. Sisa Ntshona.
© Liana Technologies