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Lagos - South African Tourism Minister Marthinus van Schalkwyk, accompanied by Nigeria’s Tourism, Culture and National Orientation Minister, Chief Edem Duke, officially opened the very first South African Tourism regional marketing office on the African continent in Lagos, Nigeria on Tuesday.
Addressing the West African travel trade and guests in attendance Van Schalkwyk said South African Tourism’s new home in Lagos demonstrates and confirms the resolve between the two countries to strengthen their relations for a mutual benefit.
"Key to creating economic vibrancy and resilience is working together to develop tourism industries that have the potential to contribute meaningfully to GDPs and to job creation on the African continent," said Van Schalkwyk.
"Growth in African arrivals is what has been driving the growth of our continent’s tourism industry for many years now. Growth in African arrivals is what shielded our tourism industry from the worst of the recent economic downturn and is what we believe is going to keep our continent’s tourism industry on a sustainable growth path going forward."
The Lagos office will serve as a tourism hub from which to grow a presence in West Africa.
"We’ve invested heavily in understanding the needs of the West African traveler so as to ensure that your holiday experience is as rewarding or memorable to you as it is to us," he said.
"To that end, we have also been working tirelessly to ensure that South Africa offers the West African travelers a holiday that enriches their lives through a world of new experiences."
A total of 73 282 Nigerian tourists visited South Africa in 2012. This is a 13.8% increase to the 64 402 Nigerian tourists who visited South Africa in 2011.
At the end of June 2013, Nigerian arrivals had continued to grow on a strong trajectory: 15.9% growth on the same period in 2012 to 40 097 tourist arrivals.
Likewise, tourist arrivals from Ghana to South Africa grew 23.8% in 2012, when South Africa welcomed 22 953 Ghanaian tourists.
Up to end June 2013, arrivals from Ghana were growing at 27.3%, to 13 663 tourist arrivals for the six-month period.
"Global interest in visiting Africa is at an all-time high and it is also our intention to do our bit to convert this interest into increased arrivals across the continent," he said.
South African Tourism has extended an invitation to the rest of Africa to showcase the continent by exhibiting together at the annual Tourism Indaba taking place from May 10 to 12 2014 in Durban.
Addressing the West African travel trade and guests in attendance Van Schalkwyk said South African Tourism’s new home in Lagos demonstrates and confirms the resolve between the two countries to strengthen their relations for a mutual benefit.
"Key to creating economic vibrancy and resilience is working together to develop tourism industries that have the potential to contribute meaningfully to GDPs and to job creation on the African continent," said Van Schalkwyk.
"Growth in African arrivals is what has been driving the growth of our continent’s tourism industry for many years now. Growth in African arrivals is what shielded our tourism industry from the worst of the recent economic downturn and is what we believe is going to keep our continent’s tourism industry on a sustainable growth path going forward."
The Lagos office will serve as a tourism hub from which to grow a presence in West Africa.
"We’ve invested heavily in understanding the needs of the West African traveler so as to ensure that your holiday experience is as rewarding or memorable to you as it is to us," he said.
"To that end, we have also been working tirelessly to ensure that South Africa offers the West African travelers a holiday that enriches their lives through a world of new experiences."
A total of 73 282 Nigerian tourists visited South Africa in 2012. This is a 13.8% increase to the 64 402 Nigerian tourists who visited South Africa in 2011.
At the end of June 2013, Nigerian arrivals had continued to grow on a strong trajectory: 15.9% growth on the same period in 2012 to 40 097 tourist arrivals.
Likewise, tourist arrivals from Ghana to South Africa grew 23.8% in 2012, when South Africa welcomed 22 953 Ghanaian tourists.
Up to end June 2013, arrivals from Ghana were growing at 27.3%, to 13 663 tourist arrivals for the six-month period.
"Global interest in visiting Africa is at an all-time high and it is also our intention to do our bit to convert this interest into increased arrivals across the continent," he said.
South African Tourism has extended an invitation to the rest of Africa to showcase the continent by exhibiting together at the annual Tourism Indaba taking place from May 10 to 12 2014 in Durban.
