Date Published: 04/29/10

Tourism Breaking News 

SOUTH AFRICAN TOURISM

20 April, 2010 

‘Nigeria market important for South Africa’              

As Nigeria/SA trade partners work on increase arrivals in SA 

Nigeria has been described as an important market for South Africa as tourist arrivals from Nigeria to South Africa is quite impressive with 4.3% increase in 2009 compared to previous year figures. 

The Regional Director, Africa and Domestic markets, South Africa Tourism (SAT), Phumi Dhlomo, disclosed in Lagos, at a media roundtable during a one-day trade workshop to update SAT trade partners, tour operators and travel agents on the available business and leisure products in SA, that tourism is very important to South Africa because it contributes about 8% to the GDP of SA with a desire to grow to about 15% in the nearest future. 

According to Dhlomo, “Nigeria is an important market for our country and these arrivals are encouraging and show a sound return on investment in marketing activities that South African Tourism implements in Nigeria.” 

Globally, SA recorded 9.9 million arrivals in 2009 with 7.7 million from Africa, a result which necessitated SAT to grow the African market according to Dhlomo since it has the lion share. 

He said the tourist arrivals success recorded in SA in 2009 was not occasioned by sheer luck, but rather it is a result of SAT many investment in African countries like Nigeria and Kenya coupled with global marketing campaigns, top events like the FIFA Confederations Cup and the good trade relations between South Africa and other countries of the world. 

The SAT regional director noted that although, large percentage of the arrivals in SA is on business purposes, one of the objectives of the trade workshop is for Nigeria and SA trade partners to work out measures of increasing arrivals in SA as well as make the rainbow nation a leisure hub. 

Dhlomo allayed fears that after the FIFA World Cup, SAT might fall short of marketing SA to the world by explaining that the country will properly harness the opportunity of hosting the World Cup and continue in the right direction of using already created and tested platforms in further promoting SA beyond the World Cup period. 

Speaking also during the media roundtable, South African High Commissioner in Nigeria, Mr. Kingsley Mamabolo announced the issuance of free event visa for the FIFA 2010 World Cup in South Africa. 

The unique event visa specifically meant for the World Cup is to be issued free to travelers who wish to be part of the biggest football fiesta in South Africa come June, 2010. 

According to the head of the South African envoy in Nigeria, the South African Department of Home Affairs has introduced FIFA event visa specifically for travelers with proof of purchase of FIFA match ticket. 

A valid travel document, proof of valid return air ticket, match ticket booking voucher and two Identity photographs in colour are the necessary requirement for the event visa, Mamabolo stated. 

He said this visa can only be used for the purpose of the FIFA World Cup™ event and will not be used for work or other purposes other than that for which it has been designed. 

The validity period of the visa is a maximum of 90 days and it must not expire after the expiry date of the traveler passport / travel document. 

Travelers are advised to start applying for the special Event Visa during the period leading towards the FIFA World Cup™ event. They need to allow adequate time for visa application processing which takes 5 days, the South African Home Affairs Department stated. 

Tahndi Mgxwati, Head of South Africa Lagos mission, also speaking at the media roundtable affirmed that the event visa will be issued free to all who meet the stated requirements for its issuance, adding that people carrying the event visa has the advantage of prompt attention from the port of entry into South Africa. 

Meanwhile, the consumer activation which was held at the Silverbird galleria, Lagos, was a spectacle to behold as shoppers flooded the arena to witness a Nigerian dance ensemble, “Dance Na De Main Thing” performed the scintillating Diski Dance to create a carnival-like atmosphere at the venue. 

With various souvenirs on the tourism sites of South Africa shared freely to the teeming spectators including the very popular Vuvuzela as some Nigerian youth dancers thrilled the crowd with the special 2010 FIFA World Cup official dance- diski dance. 

According to Dhlomo, “the consumer activation is to create more excitement about 2010 and teach people the Diski dance.” 

Trust Nigerians, a Nigerian version of the diski dance in consonance with the original sound track was showcased to the enjoyment of the crowd. 

The trade workshop and the consumer activation are expected to increase Nigerian arrivals in South Africa before, during and beyond the 2010 FIFA World Cup for both business and leisure. 

Ends

Issued by TOPCOMM Integrated Marketing Communications in Nigeria on behalf of South African Tourism. 

For further information contact:              

Tope Ogbeni Awe       Abdullahi Mohammed Moshood

 Tel: 234- 803 963 0155                                 Tel: 234- 803 284 6056

E: tope.ogbeni-awe@topcommng. com     E:mohammed.abdullahi@ topcommng.com

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, Ms Thandiwe Sylvia January-Mclean and Chief Operating Officer, Ms Didi Moyle.