South African Tourism Minister, Marthinus van Schalkwyk on February 4 welcomed 100 travel luminaries from Germany to South Africa and expressed his confidence that the delegation would be impressed by South Africa’s depth of offering as a long-term investment market.
"Germany is one of our most important source markets in terms of foreign arrivals and we have always cultivated a special relationship with the German travel trade. Germany is the world's fourth-largest source of long-haul tourists and South Africa's third-largest source of foreign visitors. Over 162 000 German tourists visited South Africa between January and October 2009 alone.
"This visit represents an unparalleled opportunity to market South Africa and to build sustainable relationships. This will, in turn, help us achieve our goals of growing the South African tourism industry in order to stimulate economic growth, create decent jobs and empower marginalised communities," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
He also welcomed the fact that the members of the delegation would be able to gain first-hand experience of South Africa as a destination, especially in the light of the fact that the World Cup 2010 was less than 130 days away.
"We have seen a lot of unwarranted scepticism about South Africa's readiness to host the World Cup. Our message to the world continues to consistently be that we are on track with all our preparations, ranging from stadiums, transport, infrastructure, security measures and accommodation to visa measures.
"I am very certain that the members of this visiting delegation will be able to see our readiness for themselves and experience the hospitality, vibrancy and enthusiasm that South Africa is famous for. I would appeal to them to take this message back home to Germany with them," Minister van Schalkwyk said.
Adi Juen, Regional Director, TUI Germany will lead over 100 German travel agents, TUI management and trade press to South Africa. The delegation will meet with the South African travel industry, including Minister van Schalkwyk, South African Tourism and Cape Town Routes Unlimited.
A week-long programme of high level discussions kicked off in Cape Town on February 4. While in South Africa the delegation will discover Cape Town and the winelands as well as experience the Eastern Cape's wildlife.