Update: The dates for the 'Learn SA Roadshow' in the Middle East have been changed to November 17 to 27. Tour operators, accommodation establishments and experiences wanting to take part in the Roadshow are encouraged to contact Sadiq Dindar on sadiq@southafrica.net. 

South African Tourism is to embark on its inaugural roadshow to the Middle East. The ‘Learn SA Roadshow’ will take place from October 21 to 30.

It will visit Dubai, Abu Dhabi, Iran, Kuwait and Jeddah. SA Tourism will present South Africa’s key travel opportunities, establishments and experiences to the different market development projects.

The organisation will also take the roadshow to Turkey on January 29, 2019. This will coincide with its participation in the East Mediterranean International Tourism and Travel Exhibition from January 31 to February 3.

Sthembiso Dlamini, Chief Operating Officer of SA Tourism said: “We are excited to extend our relations in encouraging the large DMCs to work with small businesses and incorporate them into itineraries in a meaningful way. We look forward to connecting and communicating during the roadshow, and seeing how we can further encourage and inspire people to visit South Africa for business and leisure.”

Hanneli Slabber, SA Tourism’s Regional General Manager: Asia / Australasia / Middle East, told Tourism Update that SA Tourism hoped to use these trips to expose the Middle Eastern and Turkish markets to the variety of four- and five-star products on offer in South Africa that “focus on both the local Middle East traveller as well as the huge expat population that resides and works in the Middle East”.

Slabber added that taking the roadshow to these destinations came off the back of successful trips to India and South Asia. “The trade platform exposes a range of South African travel products across the nine provinces, including small businesses, to the trade in those markets and, based on the interest and participation (in previous roadshows), this gave birth to the inaugural ‘Learn SA Roadshow’ in the Middle East region and Turkey.”

For more information and to apply to join the roadshow, contact Sadiq Dindar at sadiq@southafrica.net.